News, Awards & Press

San Francisco, CA— July 17, 2017 — Blue Orange Games is proud to announce that Kingdomino, by Bruno Cathala, has won the Spiel des Jahres award. The Spiel des Jahres is a part of a trio of awards given each year to the best board games new to the German market.

Although the Spiel des Jahres is awarded in Germany it is considered one of the reigning international authorities on picking the “best of the best” in gaming. For the 2017 Spiel des Jahres award Kingdomino beat out Magic Maze and El Dorado. A panel of German gaming experts and critics evaluated all three games looking for the best design, rules, layout, and overall gaming concept, ultimately deciding on Kingdomino as the winner. With this award, Kingdomino joins the ranks of games like last year’s winner, Codenames, and timeless classics Carcassone, The Settlers of Catan, and Ticket to Ride. The Kinderspiel des Jahres award, recognizing the best children’s game of the year, was awarded to Ice Cool on June 19th, 2017. The winner of the Kennerspiel des Jahres award, which recognizes more complex board games, was announced at the same time as The Spiel des Jahres, and was awarded to Exit: The Game.

“We are very honored that Kingdomino was chosen, especially with the other two choices, Magic Maze and El Dorado, being such great games. We have worked with Bruno Cathala in the past and always have seen his excellence as a game designer, but it is rewarding to see others recognizing his work. This award represents all the hard work that Cathala and our product development team put in to make Kingdomino what it is today. We sincerely thank all the Kingdomino fans out there who have supported this game in its journey. As game publishers we hope that this becomes a classic for years to come, and as game lovers we hope that it exposes more and more kids, adults, and families to the wonderful world of tabletop games.”

Kingdomino is a tile-laying game by celebrated game designer Bruno Cathala. It made its international debut at Essen 2017, and was later introduced to the United States market. In the game, players take turns selecting and then adding a new domino to their existing kingdom, making sure at least one of its sides connects to a matching terrain type already in play. The strategy of the game is present in the tile bidding mechanism. Players must decide how valuable certain tiles are to them, as the selection of tiles determines the order of tile choice for the next round. The game ends when each player has completed a 5x5 grid, and then points are counted based on the number of connecting tiles and crowns.

Kingdomino is currently available internationally in stores, and on Amazon.

Eco-Friendly Company to Release Photosynthesis, a Green Strategy Board Game

SAN FRANCISCO, CA— June 6, 2017— Blue Orange Games, leading designer and manufacturer of tabletop games, has announced it will be adding eco-themed Photosynthesis to its catalog. The game joins other family strategy board games in the company’s catalog, like award-winning New York 1901.

Photosynthesis has already garnered a lot of attention for its theme, as it provides a “breath of fresh air” to a market where fantasy and war are the most common inspirations for games. It is aptly named, as the setting is a forest, the game pieces are trees, and the currency the game operates on is sunlight. Blue Orange plans to launch the game on August 17th at the largest North American tabletop gaming convention, Gen Con.

“As a company that strives to make eco-friendly games, we are very excited to bring an eco-themed game to the US market,” says Martin Marechal, Blue Orange Games’ VP of Sales and Marketing. Marechal continues with, “The unique theme, high-quality components, and stunning illustrations are all qualities that make this one we are proud to add to our catalog. Couple these with the positive responses from early game testers and it isn’t hard to see why we cannot wait for everyone to experience this game.”

Photosynthesis is a 2 to 4 player game geared towards ages 8 and up. The game play mimics the life cycle of trees, with two phases occurring each round. In the first, the Photosynthesis phase, players’ trees generate light points depending on their location, and the location of casted shadows, as the revolving sun hits the board. The second phase, the Life Cycle phase, is where players can use the lights points they have earned as currency to buy, plant, grow, and harvest seeds and trees. As players end the life cycle of their trees they collect points correlating to the value of the soil, or space, that the trees were rooted in.

Blue Orange will be selling copies of Photosynthesis at Gen Con in Indianapolis August 17th-20th, at booth #1811. The game is being rushed to production so that it will arrive just in time for the show. Post-show it will be available in-stores and online.

For more information about the game, visit the company's website here.

The Mom’s Choice Awards Names Go Go Gelato! and Dr. Microbe Among the Best in Family-Friendly Products

SAN FRANCISCO, CA— April 5, 2017— The Mom’s Choice Awards® has named Blue Orange Games’ Go Go Gelato! and Dr. Microbe, as among the best in family-friendly media, products and services. The MCA evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal, and cost.

"We are thrilled to earn the Mom’s Choice Awards Honoring Excellence Seal of Approval,” says Martin Marechal, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, “We know all the great things the MCA does to connect consumers, educators, and caregivers with the best products and services available for families. This aligns with Blue Orange’s mission of providing high-quality games that build upon important skills and bring families together””.

To be considered for an award, each entrant submits five (5) identical samples for testing. Entries are matched to evaluators in the MCA database. Evaluators are bound by a strict code of ethics not only to ensure objectivity, but also to ensure that the evaluation is free from manufacturer influence. The five evaluations are submitted to the MCA Executive Committee for final review and approval.

"Our aim to introduce families and educators to best-in-class products and services,” explains Dawn Matheson, CEO of the Mom’s Choice Awards. “We have a passion to help families grow emotionally, physically and spiritually. Parents and educators know that products and services bearing our seal of approval are high-quality and also a great value. The MCA evaluation program is designed to incorporate the expertise of scientists, physicians and other specialists; but we also engage parents, children, educators, and caregivers because they are experts in knowing what is best for their families.”

With the evaluation now complete, the testing samples of both games will be donated to schools, libraries, hospitals and nonprofit organizations.

About the Mom’s Choice Awards®

The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services created for children, families and educators. The program is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. The organization is based in the United States and has reviewed thousands of entries from more than 55 countries.

Around the world, parents, educators, retailers and members of the media look for the MCA mother-and-child Honoring Excellence seal of approval when selecting quality products and services for children and families.

Toy Fair 2017 is over and the 13 new games that were unveiled at the show will be in stores and online in the coming weeks. This year we debuted an expanded “Doctor Collection”, as two of our newest games, Dr. Beaker and Dr. Microbe, have joined our 2016 bestseller Dr. Eureka. These science-themed games fell in perfectly with the STEM trend that was seen all over Toy Fair. Read below to learn about these two games, as well as the other stand outs that the attendees raved about at the show!

Top 5 New Games

Dr. Microbe

Ages 8 & Up | 2-4 Players

Dr. Microbe has important research to do and she needs help! Using a pair of tweezers, players race to grab the correct colorful microbes and place them into their petri dish to solve an incomplete challenge card. Make sure to follow the research rules and finish first to impress Dr. Microbe and win the card as a point. The unique concept and components will make this your new go-to!

Dr. Beaker

Ages 8 & Up | 2-4 Players

Stir up excitement in the third installment to the Dr. Collection! In this logic race, players move molecules around the compartments of their beaker to try and match solutions on flipped challenge cards. Players must think quickly and work fast as they rearrange the molecules with their stirring rods. The first to finish wins the card as a point! A special rotating platform at the bottom of the beaker makes this race unlike one you’ve ever tried!

GoGo Gelato

Ages 6 & Up | 2-4 Players

Become a gelato mixing master in GoGo Gelato! Players fill their customer’s orders armed with 4 scoops, 3 cones, 2 hands, and 1 challenge card in this delicious game of rearrangement. Happy customers are the ones whose orders are filled quickly and efficiently, so speed and thinking ahead are a must. This logic race has the perfect recipe for a good time!

Tumble Tree

Ages 6 & Up | 2-4 Players

Build your own baobab tree in this card placement game. Each animal card has its own way to be added to the ever-growing canopy, but place them carefully! If the branches are overburdened the tree will fall. Avoid penalties and be the player with the least amount of cards at the end to win, but most importantly… don’t let the tree-top topple!

Eye ‘N Seek

Ages 6 & Up | 2-6 Players

Spin to win! Flip a card and then rotate the wheel to find its matching icon in the windows. Hurry, it’s a race! Spot the match before your opponents to win the round and a point. With 6 double-sided wheels, 100 icons, 3 levels, and 6 games to play the searching fun is endless!

Honorable Mention

These unique dice games were well received for their portability, high-replay value, and quick to explain rules!

Dice Stack

Ages 7 & Up | 1-6 Players

Pile up your points in this stacking dice game. Roll the tilted dice and then carefully stack them up in numerical order. Stop at any time to win the number of points in the stack, or take a chance and try to stack all 6. Once you have stacked all 6, do you dare to try and double your points with the Golden Die? Just make sure to not let them fall or you’ll lose it all!

Rally Roll

Ages 8 & Up | 2-6 Players

Will you risk it all? Roll all 6 dice and win the number of points that match the big colored die. Decide to bank your points, or take a risk and roll again. Keep scoring as long as you have numbered dice that match the colored die. If nothing matches, forfeit all points won that round and try again next time! Take big risks with this fast and fun dice game!

Blue Orange Games Expands Catalog with 13 New Family Games at New York Toy Fair 2017

SAN FRANCISCO, CA— February 2, 2017— Blue Orange Games, leading designer and manufacturer of tabletop games for the whole family, announces their new product lineup premiering at The American International Toy Fair on February 18-21, 2017. Joining their catalog of over 60 products are thirteen new games that all align with Blue Orange’s signature of creating high-quality, easy-to-learn, and fast-to-play games that everyone can enjoy.

“We have been working on exciting new things for 2017,” said Martin Marechal, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We had the pleasure of collaborating with Reyn Guyer, the inventor of Twister® and the Nerf® Ball, on publishing his newest dice game invention Rally Roll. We also made the decision, based on the success of Dr. Eureka, to extend our reach into STEM themes and create the Dr. Collection. Blue Orange is excited to introduce Dr. Microbe and Dr. Beaker to the market. We are also looking forward to showing new games with unique play patterns, like Tumble Tree and Eye ‘n Seek.”

Marechal continued by saying, “Even with all the excitement we wanted to remain true to our values. Therefore, during the development process, we made sure to create or find games that satisfy all ages. We looked specifically for engaging game play that was easy to learn. It is our mission as a brand to grow with families and with these new additions, we are confident a little something for everyone can be found in our 2017 catalog.”

Blue Orange Games will be demoing all 13 titles at Toy Fair 2017, Booth #103.

The 2017 games will be available for purchase online and in specialty stores across the United States and Canada in early spring 2017. Visit the store locator on www.blueorangegames.com to find a retailer.

Logic: Stretch your brain and think fast to win!

Dr. Microbe

Ages 8 & Up | 2-4 Players

Dr. Microbe has important research to do and she needs help! Using a pair of tweezers, players race to grab the correct colorful microbes and place them into their petri dish to solve an incomplete challenge card. Make sure to follow the research rules and finish first to impress Dr. Microbe and win the card as a point. The unique concept and components will make this your new go-to!

Dr. Beaker

Ages 8 & Up | 2-4 Players

Stir up excitement in the third installment to the Dr. Collection! In this logic race, players move molecules around the compartments of their beaker to try and match solutions on flipped challenge cards. Players must think quickly and work fast as they rearrange the molecules with their stirring rods. The first to finish wins the card as a point! A special rotating platform at the bottom of the beaker makes this race unlike one you’ve ever tried!

GoGo Gelato

Ages 6 & Up | 2-4 Players

Become a gelato mixing master in GoGo Gelato! Players fill their customer’s orders armed with 4 scoops, 3 cones, 2 hands, and 1 challenge card in this delicious game of rearrangement. Happy customers are the ones whose orders are filled quickly and efficiently, so speed and thinking ahead are a must. This logic race has the perfect recipe for a good time!

Family Fun: Perfect for when everyone wants to join in!

Flying Kiwis

Ages 6 & Up | 2-4 Players

The kiwis want to go on vacation, but they can’t fly! Players help the kiwi birds sneak into a fruit crate by launching them with ramps. The kiwis are picky and like to sit with their friends, so make sure to line up 4 of the same color in a row or a square to win! Launch into fun with this tic-tac-toe style family game.

Tricky Trunks

Ages 5 & Up | 2-4 Players

The elephants are out and they want to play! Race to pick up the balls with the elephant toys, following the rules of the challenge cards. Work quickly but be careful, the rolling balls can sometimes be tricky to pick-up. Tricky Trunks promotes dexterity and motor skill development, and is sure to provide elephant-sized excitement!

Tumble Tree

Ages 6 & Up | 2-4 Players

Build your own baobab tree in this card placement game. Each animal card has its own way to be added to the ever-growing canopy, but place them carefully! If the branches are overburdened the tree will fall. Avoid penalties and be the player with the least amount of cards at the end to win, but most importantly… don’t let the tree-top topple!

Eye ‘N Seek

Ages 6 & Up | 2-6 Players

Spin to win! Flip a card and then rotate the wheel to find its matching icon in the windows. Hurry, it’s a race! Spot the match before your opponents to win the round and a point. With 6 double-sided wheels, 100 icons, 3 levels, and 6 games to play the searching fun is endless!

Quizoo

Ages 6 & Up | 2-8 Players

Who’s faster? Slower? Bigger? Smalller? Compare and learn about animals’ average weights, sizes, speeds, and lifespans in this quick-thinking card game. Flip a card and race to be the first to shout out the right answer! Collect the most cards to win and rule the animal kingdom!

Classic Feel: New games that already feel like old favorites!

Zero Down

Ages 8 & Up | 2-4 Players

Less is more in this subtle card game. Group the cards in your hand by number and color to try cancelling out their point values. Multiples of cards are scored as zero, so each number is only counted once. Trade cards while keeping a watchful eye on your opponents. Mind your strategy as you all reach for the goal of cancelling out your hand and achieving the ultimate combo: ZERO!

Clear for Takeoff

Ages 7 & Up | 2-4 Players

In this aviation-themed card game, collect enough cards in your hand to send your fleet through the different stages of takeoff, and then high into the sky! Navigate weather problems, mechanical failures and your opponents’ strategies in order to successfully launch your whole fleet. Get all your planes off the ground before your opponents’ to win. Clear for takeoff was invented by a real pilot!

Dice Stack

Ages 7 & Up | 1-6 Players

Pile up your points in this stacking dice game. Roll the tilted dice and then carefully stack them up in numerical order. Stop at any time to win the number of points in the stack, or take a chance and try to stack all 6. Once you have stacked all 6, do you dare to try and double your points with the Golden Die? Just make sure to not let them fall or you’ll lose it all!

Rally Roll

Ages 8 & Up | 2-6 Players

Will you risk it all? Roll all 6 dice and win the number of points that match the big colored die. Decide to bank your points, or take a risk and roll again. Keep scoring as long as you have numbered dice that match the colored die. If nothing matches, forfeit all points won that round and try again next time! Take big risks with this fast and fun dice game!

Kingdomino

Ages 8 & Up | 2-4 Players

Explore the lands and expand your kingdom! Each turn, connect a new domino to your existing kingdom, making sure that at least one of its sides connects to a matching terrain type already in play. Don’t forget to include dominoes with crowns on them, these royal treasures double the worth of your kingdom! Build up your 5x5 grid as best you can, as the player with the richest lands takes it all! Kingdomino had a small prerelease at the end of 2016, but it will now be available in specialty toy stores and online.

Dr. Eureka Wins Best Toys for Kids 2016

San Francisco, CA— July 12, 2016 — Blue Orange Games’ Dr. Eureka has received ASTRA’s Best Toys for Kids 2016 award in the game play 8+ years category. It was selected from a list of highly sought-after toys that are new to the marketplace for 2016.

“ASTRA’s top picks are different. Instead of being financed by the companies that make the toys, ASTRA's list is chosen by a community of people who care deeply about quality toys,” said Kimberly Mosley, President of ASTRA. “Winners are selected by neighborhood toy store owners around the country who watch kids play in their store all day long and talk with parents about which toys sustain their child’s attention and become beloved additions to their toy box.”

Dr. Eureka debuted at the 2016 New York Toy Fair in February, and its unique concept and versatile game play have already made it a huge success. In the game, players must race to solve formulas written on challenge cards by passing molecules back and forth from test tube to test tube. It is an engaging, brain-teasing puzzle that requires both strategy and dexterity. The game’s quality and unique components reflect the high standards at Blue Orange Games.

“We are very much honored to receive ASTRA’s Best Toys for Kids Award. It is a big accomplishment for our team, since Blue Orange strives to bring fun, qualitative and innovative games to the market every year. Dr. Eureka is a perfect illustration of our commitment and we believe the game will bring much joy and fun to kids and adults all over America,” said Martin Marechal, Blue Orange’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Dr. Eureka is now available in specialty toy stores around the nation.

About the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)

With more than 1800 members, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is the largest association for companies in the toy and children’s products arenas. ASTRA and its member companies promote the growth of the toy industry by delivering products that serve children’s best interests. For more information, visit http://www.astratoy.org.

Blue Orange Games Releases 12 New Games for 2016

Blue Orange continues to their expanding collection with new games by top designers

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—January 29, 2016—Blue Orange Games is adding 12 new games to their current collection of over 60 high quality games for release at this year’s Toy Fair in New York. After 16 years in business, 2015 proved to be the best year so far with a total release of 27 new games and the highest revenue totals yet. This year promises to continue this upward trajectory by kicking the year off with 12 brand new games, some from top designers like Roberto Fraga who just won the 2015 Kinderspheil des Jahres (children’s game of the year). Blue Orange continues to stay committed to producing high quality games that combine educational development, high replay value, and most importantly, fun.

This year’s collection of games is exhilarating and challenging, yet still retains the basic mission of Blue Orange: clever games with easy to learn rules that include countless fun variations on gameplay to continually offer new and unique challenges. These new games, created by world renowned designers, will delight kids of all ages and provide hours of fun and family bonding.

Kaboom helps players build dexterity and motor control as they race to build and knock down towers made of wooden blocks. Speed and precision are essential as children work on focus and attention in the mad dash of construction and destruction.

Top that! is a fun magic-themed game that helps players work on fine motor, visual processing, and cognitive speed. Players must match their stack of five magic props to the challenge card drawn, often making elements appear and disappear to satisfy the requirements.

Rooster Run is an active memory and matching game with toy like components that make the game more fun and engaging for players. Using rooster rings, players use their hands like beaks to collect earth worm tokens and search for matches, encouraging both visual acuity and processing.

Brix is a fun 3D twist on tic tac toe with an additional strategic quirk—two blocks are attached together –one that has your symbol/color and one that has your opponent’s-- so players need to think carefully about placing their bricks since it could give their opponent an advantage. With three different match variations, this game will work players’ brains and encourage the development of strategic and problem solving play.

Gigamons is a beautifully illustrated elemental memory game that teaches players the basic components of natural chemistry through a fun and friendly medium. Players will develop memory and problem solving skills as well as sharpen focus and attention.

Dr. Eureka, designed by the award winning Roberto Fraga, is a tactile problem solving and brainteasing matching game. Players pass colorful molecules between test tubes to match the pattern on a challenge card, building both cognitive processing and dexterity skills.

Fast Flip is a speed based matching game that develops high level visual processing skills to quickly spot and count different fruit on the cards. Our special secret formula ensures that there is always only one solution between cards, creating a fun and addicting game for all. Play with the included tokens for another set of variations on an already fun and exhilarating base game.

Pinpoint! is a spot the differences game with a unique process-of-elimination twist. Each card contains five images and only one of them is the original image, lacking variations. The first to work out all the differences and spot the original wins.

Vroom Vroom is a racing based game that helps younger players build dexterity and counting skills. Players roll wooden snails around a track they build themselves using only one finger and counting steps using the clever step counting system on the rotating shell. The order switches every round so no one will be in last place for long.

Three new Super Genius games are joining the collection! Alphabet assists little ones with mastering their letters and builds the foundation that will turn them into speedy readers. Compound Words introduces longer and more complicated words to older readers and helps them better understand the complexities of the English language. Multiplication 2 helps young mathematicians on their more advanced times tables.

This year’s new releases are guaranteed to be both challenging and charming, and work the brains of players of all ages. Blue Orange hopes that its games will continue to delight and remain successful in the coming years.

AMERICAN SPECIALTY TOY RETAILING ASSOCIATION (ASTRA) MEMBERS NAME SUPER GENIUS – FIRST WORDS TO THE 2015 “BEST TOYS FOR KIDS AWARD” LIST

San Francisco, CA (July 6, 2015) – Super Genius – First Words, manufactured by Blue Orange Games, has been honored with a 2015 Best Toys for Kids award by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), Blue Orange Games announced today.

The Best Toys for Kids Award list features toys that stretch a child’s imagination, toys that invite discovery and exploration, toys that get little ones moving, toys that helps kids build creativity, toys that fascinate and delight babies, and even toys that will help preteens unplug from electronic games and rediscover the joy of play.

“ASTRA’s top picks are different. Instead of being financed by the companies that make the toys, ASTRA's list is chosen by a community of people who care deeply about quality toys,” said Kathleen McHugh, President of ASTRA. “Winners are selected by neighborhood toy store owners around the country who watch kids play in their store all day long and talk with parents about which toys sustain their child’s attention and become beloved additions to their toy box.”

“Super Genius – First Words, along with the others on the Best Toys for Kids Award list, go way beyond the pre-programmed, ho-hum play of so many heavily advertised toys and gives kids play that truly challenges their imagination, creativity, and other skills,” continued McHugh.

Julien Mayot of Blue Orange Games says that what makes Super Genius – First Words unique is that it makes learning fun! Super Genius – First Words is part of a whole collection of matching games for ages 5 and up. Children race to find the pair between a word and its image, two images or two words. A special algorithm assures that there is always a match between any two cards they play with. Developed hand-in-hand with learning professionals, Super Genius was specifically created with early learners in mind to make reading and comprehension an enjoyable experience.

About Blue Orange GamesFounded in 2000, Blue Orange Games is a leading creator of tabletop games that excite and challenge all ages. The company is driven to inspire families to “unplug” and connect face to face with the people who matter most by playing games together. Their catalog of over 70 award-winning products has earned a reputation for high play value, skill development, elegant simplicity, and continuous fun. The eco-friendly company focuses on high quality designs using durable materials and plants two trees for each tree used in game construction.

About the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)With more than 1600 members, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is the largest association for companies in the toy and children’s products arenas. ASTRA and its member companies promote the growth of the toy industry by delivering products that serve children’s best interests. For more information, visit www.astratoy.org.

Because Community Matters, ASTRA members thank you for shopping locally.

Blue Orange Games Introduces the New European Collection at GAMA 2015

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—March 10, 2015— Blue Orange Games, leading designer and manufacturer of tabletop/family games, announces their new project: the Blue Orange European Collection with a full launch at the Game Manufacturers Association show in Las Vegas, NV on March 16-20, 2015. Retailers and the press were provided with a sneak peak in New York at the American International Toy Fair in February. This collection will still offer all of the quality that the industry has grown to expect from a Blue Orange game, but was created specifically with the Hobby and Specialty Store Market in mind. Blue Orange Europe will be offering more adventurous and complex titles, with more mature and iconic themes.

“We are excited to bring the best “gamer” games from Europe through our Blue Orange Europe product line with games from famous game designers such as Seiji Kanai, Bruno Cathala, Bruno Faidutti, and Charles Chevallier.” said Martin Marechal, VP of Sales and Marketing. “Last year, we tested the waters by bringing over a few of the games from Blue Orange Europe such as Battle Sheep, Niya and BraveRats. When we saw how overwhelmingly positive the response was for these games, we decided to bring other games to expand further, and offer even more games in this spirit.”

While their games might be growing more serious, Blue Orange continues to be dedicated to keeping their core group of families and children in mind. However, their added level of subtle complexity will also easily whet the appetites of more serious gamers.

The new collection will feature seven new titles and will be available for purchase online and in specialty stores across the United States and Canada in the Spring of 2015. Retailers can purchase games through various distributors.

Longhorndesigned by Bruno CathalaAges 8 to Adult / 2 PlayersLonghorn is a 2 player strategy game. You and your opponent play as two rival bandits, trying to make the most money from stealing longhorn cows and valuable gold nuggets. Each turn, you will take all of the cows of one color from your current location, and then move the same number of spaces away to a new location. The trick of the game is that each time you take a cow of a certain color, it will reduce the value of ALL cows of that color. So if you get too greedy, and forget to diversify your cow portfolio, you might end the game with a pile of worthless livestock.

Niyadesigned by Bruno CathalaAges 8 to Adult / 2 PlayersNiya is a 2 player abstract strategy game where your objective is to match the patterns in the garden tiles in order to arrange 4 of your tokens into formation (or leave your opponent with no legal moves remaining). Each turn, you will choose to place one of your tokens, in the place of a tile in the garden by matching one of its patterns with one of the patterns on the previously removed tile. The first player to arrange 4 of their tokens in either a straight line or 2x2 square wins the game.

Dragon Rundesigned by Ludovic Barbe & Bruno Cathala NEWAges 8 to Adult / 2 to 5 PlayersDragon Run is a push your luck game where players take the control of a group of adventurers, who after a long and profitable journey into the depths of a dungeon, are startled to realize that they are not alone. The dragon has awoken and is eager to protect her treasure! Each turn, you will choose to either charge forward into the dungeon in search of new treasure, or advance cautiously to try and avoid the dragon’s detection. Escape with your life while still carrying more treasure than your opponents to win the game.

Wakandadesigned by Charles Chevallier NEWAges 8 to Adult / 2 PlayersWakanda is a 2 player totem pole building game. Your objective is to build and claim the totem poles worth the most points at the end of the game. Each turn, you will have to choose between increasing the value of one of the available totem poles, or claiming it as your own. Totems only score points if you can also claim the corresponding village tiles. So play smart, and build totem poles that will honor the old gods.

Armadoradesigned by Christwart Conrad NEWAges 8 to Adult / 2 to 4 PlayersArmadora is a 2-4 player area control game. Your objective is to claim the biggest portion of the dwarven gold mines. Each turn, you will choose to either place one of your tokens facedown to claim territory, or place a palisade to divide existing territories in two. The player with the highest strength in each territory wins its gold at the end of the game. The player with the most gold wins.

Gobbletdesigned by Thierry DenoualAges 7 to Adult / 2 PlayersGobblet is a 2 player strategy game similar to the classic game of Connect 4. Your objective is to line up four of your pieces in a straight line – but it’s not so easy! The twist is that pieces come in 4 different sizes, and bigger pieces can be placed on top of littler ones (gobbling them up!). You will need a clever strategy and a good memory to remember where your opponent’s pieces are hiding while cleverly positioning your pieces on the board!

Attiladesigned by Bruno Faidutti NEWAges 7 to Adult / 2 PlayersAttila is a 2 player abstract strategy game, where your pieces move like the knights in Chess. However, your objective in Attila is NOT to capture your opponent, but rather you must outmaneuver him, trapping his pieces with no moves remaining. Each turn, you will move one of your horsemen, then let loose a flaming arrow, adding an impassible scorched earth token to the modular game board. The first player no longer able to move his pieces loses the game.

BraveRatsdesigned by Seiji KanaiAges 8 to Adult / 2 PlayersBraveRats is a 2 player bluffing game. With only 16 cards, this “micro game” sure packs a lot of punch. Originally called “R” in Japan, BraveRats is now refreshed with new art and a beautiful tin carrying case. This clever twist on the classic card game of War will have you playing several games back to back, and each playthrough will add new complexity to your understanding of both the game AND your opponent.

Crab Stack designed by Henri Kermarrec NEWAges 8 to Adult / 2 to 4 PlayersCrab Stack is an abstract strategy game for 2-4 players where your objective is to trap your opponents by moving your crabs on top of theirs, and washing them away with the waves. Players control 3 different sized crabs, each with their own movement rules. Each turn, you will move one crab to a new location, trapping whatever is underneath it. And stay alert! If you ever create two separate groups of crabs, the smaller one will be washed away and removed from the game board. The last player still able to move one or more of his crabs wins the game.

Winkdesigned by Fred Krahwinkel NEWAges 8 to Adult / 4 to 8Players Wink is a hilarious party game that will plunge you deep into an atmosphere full of crazy laughter, awkward stares, and a healthy dose of paranoia. Each turn, you will try to covertly wink at your new secret partner without being detected by the other players. Keep your eyes wide open, because if you catch an opponent in the act of winking you can use one of your Accuse Cards to steal their points! The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Battle Sheepdesigned by Francesco RottaAges 7 to Adult / 2 to 4 PlayersBattle Sheep is a 2-4 player strategy game where your objective is to outmaneuver your opponents’ sheep and take control of the biggest portion of the playing field. Each turn, you will move your herd by dividing one of your stacks of sheep into two stacks, and moving the new stack in a straight line as far as it can go – hopefully trapping your opponents’ sheep in the process! The clever rules on movement make traveling across the board an interesting challenge, and the modular game board ensures each game feels fresh and exciting.

Sushi Draftdesigned by Takahiro NEWAges 8 to Adult / 3 to 5 PlayersSushi Draft is a card drafting game, where your objective is to eat the sushi worth the most points at the end of the game. Each turn, you will pick one card from your hands, one card to keep, and then pass the rest of your cards to the next player. At the end of each round, the player who ate the most of one type of sushi wins that corresponding scoring chip. And whoever ate the most VARIED menu (of different types of sushi) wins the coveted Dessert chip. The player with the most points at the end of the 3 rounds wins the game.

Blue Orange Games Expands Catalog with Sixteen New Family Games at New York Toy Fair 2015

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—February 3, 2015—Blue Orange Games, leading designer and manufacturer of tabletop/family games, announces their new product lineup premiering at The American International Toy Fair on February 14-17, 2015. In celebration of their 15 year anniversary, sixteen new games will be joining their collection of over 70 products. These new games will showcase what Blue Orange is best known for—easy to learn, fast playing games that are stimulating regardless of skill or age.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of our award winning game, Spot it! with new releases and a special anniversary surprise.” said Martin Marechal, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “It’s also a special year because we celebrate the 15 year anniversary of our first game Gobblet with a refreshing new packaging for Gobblet Gobblers.”

Marechal continues by stating, “We continue to diversify our product line to appeal to as many players as possible. The new Blue Orange US games range from educational games to party games with unique, never-before-seen play patterns. We are excited to bring the best “gamer” games from Europe through our Blue Orange Europe product line with games from famous game designers such as Bruno Cathala, Charles Chevalier, and Bruno Faidutti.”

Even with their high growth Blue Orange still remains committed to their core values of educational-focused play with simple-to-learn rules, engaging player interaction, and high quality components. In addition, they continue to strive to provide full support to their retailers by coming up with innovative ways to promote and merchandise their games in the stores.

The 2015 games will be available for purchase online and in specialty stores across the United States and Canada in the Spring of 2015. Visit the store locator on www.blueorangegames.com to find a retailer.

Kids’ FavoritesSpot it! Numbers and Shapes Disney Frozen OlafAges 3 & Up / 2 to 6 PlayersStay cool in the sun with our newest Disney Spot it! Have fun matching Olaf’s favorite parts of summer among numbers from 0 to 9 and familiar shapes. This fast-paced card game is a rewarding way for kids to practice their basics. There is always one match between any two cards, be the first to Spot it!

Gobblet GobblersAges 6 & Up / 2 to 4 PlayersCheck out Gobblet Gobblers in its new fresh package! Each player’s objective is to line up three pieces in a row. Test your memory and appetite for laughs with this easy to learn game of strategy that plays like the classic game of tic-tac toe with a twist: you can gobble up your opponent’s piece if it is smaller than yours! Don’t be fooled by the adorable Gobbler pieces, they are hungry for action!

Thumbs Up!Ages 6 & Up / 2 to 4 PlayersRace to scoop the loops! The goal is to be the first to stack different colored rings on your thumb, based on the order shown on a challenge card. This is not as easy as you think! The challenge cards will require each player to focus on the order of numbers and match their colors. Different variations of play make this a must have party game that is as fun for little ones as it is for the big ones!

Rally Up!Ages 6 & Up / 2 to 6 PlayersWhat happens when 110 exotically illustrated cards are shuffled, distributed, and then rhythmically turned face up on the table? Players will find themselves in a hullabaloo and will race to rally up 2 or more images belonging to the same family! Scan swiftly through the craziness to get these thingies back to where they belong!

Educational MatchingSuper GeniusSuper Genius is a new collection of educational matching games developed so that parents and teachers can help their little learners practice important academic concepts in fun and engaging ways! Depending on the version you choose, you will be looking for a match between an image to a word, or a mathematic equation to its product or sum. But the brilliant formula used in these games means that there will always be one and only one match between any two cards. Super Genius comes with 5 game rules and an infinite potential for use in the classroom and at home -- all in a cute, portable magnetic box.

First WordsAges 5 & Up / 1 to 6 PlayersDon’t let the words stick to the tip of your tongue! Early readers will need to match closed syllable 3 letter words fast as they prepare for more complicated language skills to come!

Reading 1Ages 6 & Up / 1 to 6 PlayersEarly learners will love practicing their reading and comprehension skills while matching images from this selection of Dolch words, the most common words from popular children's books.

Reading 2Ages 6 & Up / 1 to 6 PlayersContinue the lessons learned from Reading 1 with even more fun words from popular children's books!

AdditionAges 7 & Up / 1 to 6 PlayersThese cards are more than the sum of their parts! You will be surprised by how much children’s addition skills improve! Who will put two and two together first?

Multiplication 1Ages 8 & Up / 1 to 6 Players 4Raise your multiplication powers to the next level! Who will be the first to find the multiplication match? This game focuses on the multiples of number 1 to 5.

Family FunRing It!Ages 5 & Up / 2 to 9 PlayersClap and ring your way to victory! Players continuously flip their cards until a combo is found. Be the first to find the combo, clap your hands and ring the bell. Hesitation may cost you 1st place, but if you act too quickly you may make a mistake and face a penalty! Get ready for chaotic clapping followed by lots of laughter!

WinkAges 8 to Adult / 4 to 8 PlayersDon’t be afraid to look your enemy in the eye! Wink is a silly party game that will have your friends and family laughing all night long. Your mission is to covertly wink at your secret partner without being detected by the other players. Your secret partner is determined by whether you have the matching card he is looking for or not. Wink is the perfect ice breaker game with a healthy dose of paranoia.

Color ClashAges 7 to Adult / 1 to 8 PlayersRace to find the correct tile as the colors clash in your mind! Each of the 36 Color Clash tiles has 3 Attributes: A Picture of different color chameleons, a Word that refers to a specific color, and a Color that the word is written in. Your mind will be challenged to quickly recognize the color a word is written in when it spells another color, also known as the “Stroop Effect”. 8 game variations are included in the rule book to mix up the fun!

King’s GoldAges 8 to Adult / 2 to 8 PlayersSteal the King’s treasure and become the richest pirate at sea! The objective of King’s Gold is to earn the most coins by obtaining the best combinations of dice rolls. Each combination of dice results in a different type of action. The different dice combinations keep the game exciting and competitive as players steal from their fellow pirates and give their share to the King!

Sushi DraftAges 7 to Adult / 2 to 8 PlayersFive deluxe sushi rolls are on the menu, but you will need to pick your rolls strategically if you want to eat your way to victory. Each turn, you will pick one sushi to eat, one to keep, and then pass the rest to the player next to you. Earn points by eating more of one type than your opponents, or earn dessert (more points!) for the most variety on your plate. Sushi draft is quick to learn and fun for the whole family, and is the perfect introduction to the classic genre of pick-and-pass / card-drafting games!

StrategyAttilaAges 7 to Adult / 2 PlayersTake the reigns in this chess-like abstract strategy game for 2 players, where your objective is to trap your opponent on the field of battle. It's up to you to end the decades-old conflict between the Roman Empire and the wandering hordes of Attila the Hun! So let fly your flaming arrows and position your horsemen wisely so that your opponent is left with nowhere to run!

Crab StackAges 8 to Adult / 2 to 4 PlayersCrawl smart or get swept away! The objective is to immobilize your opponents’ crabs by landing on top of them, or to wash them away with the Wave Rule. This beautiful wooden game will require strategy to make sure that your crabs are not trapped or washed away! Be the last crab crawling and win!

Blue Orange Games Announces 9 New Disney Licensed Games

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—August 1, 2014—Blue Orange Games, leading designer and manufacturer of tabletop games for the family, announces the introduction of 9 new Disney licensed games for Fall 2014. Disney is the premier source of family entertainment for over 60 years. In Disney, the game company found a natural, “classic” fit that will elevate the playing experience of their games. Blue Orange Games will adapt their existing titles to feature Disney properties, and hope to reach new audiences and enhance the ways in which kids can interact with their favorite Disney characters.

“We are thrilled and honored to partner with such a prestigious name as Disney,” said Martin Marechal, VP of Sales and Marketing at Blue Orange Games. “Being in the board game industry, we look for partners with brands that reflect classic values and with properties that fit the play value for our games. The development of the Disney licensed games demonstrates our commitment to creating fun, high quality educational games that appeal to the new generation of kids in the USA and Canada.”

Blue Orange Games will launch new card games with properties such as Disney Frozen, Disney Planes, Sofia the First and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. The first year is focused on the launch of a series of educational games for ages 3 and up and will include the company’s best seller, Spot it!, as well as a versatile storytelling game called Tell Tale.

“Our Spot it! and Tell Tale games with the Disney properties is the perfect combination of exceptional content and play value that will make ‘fun learning’ a true success,” said Martin Marechal.

The release date for the seven licensed Spot it! games and two Tell Tale games is projected for early Fall of 2014.

Game Highlights

Spot it!

Learning gets a head start with the educational editions of the best selling matching game. Every circular card has an assortment of Disney images and symbols in varying sizes and orientations. Players race to spot the one matching symbol that exists between any two cards in the deck. Whether practicing their ABCs and 123s, or naming shapes and reading basic words, kids build skills and learn the basics through rewarding play.

Available in the following properties:

Disney Planes Spot it! Alphabet

Disney Frozen Spot it! Alphabet

Sofia the First Spot it! Alphabet

Doc McStuffins Spot it! Numbers & Shapes

Jake and the Never Land Pirates Spot it! Numbers & Shapes

Disney Pixar Spot it! Words

Disney Princess Spot it! Words

Tell Tale

Imaginations come to life with Tell Tale, a creative storytelling game. Players weave wacky and whimsical stories using cards showing a variety of settings, characters, and objects. Players can choose from four storytelling guidelines or even come up with their own. Lay out a story board, build on another player’s tale, or improvise with random cards and watch the magic happen!

Available in the following properties:

Disney Princess Tell Tale

Disney·Pixar Toy Story Tell Tale

Blue Orange Games Seeks to Diversify Catalog with a Range of Exciting New Releases at New York Toy Fair 2014

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—December 3, 2013—Blue Orange Games, leading creator of tabletop games for the family, announces their new product line-up to premiere at The American International Toy Fair on February 16-19, 2014. Adding to their collection of 40 titles are eight new games that showcase what Blue Orange has become synonymous with: easy to learn, fast playing games that are truly fun for kids and adults alike. However, retailers and game fans can expect some differences this year as Blue Orange brings new game formats, materials, and different packaging designs to their brand, while seeking to expand their audience.

Kids’ FavoritesDoodle QuestAges 6 & Up / 1 to 4 PlayersThis unique drawing game takes kids on a deep sea adventure to fulfill underwater quests with the power of their pens. Each quest card has a detailed illustration and drawing instructions. On their separate transparent sheet, players complete the drawing and then place them over the quest card to score the success of their sketch. With 36 quests and two levels, the bait of the challenge hooks kids for hours of fun!

WuzzItAges 6 & Up / 2 to 4 PlayersEnter the wild world of WuzzIts and watch to see what magical monster they will morph into next! Clever choices and matching skills are rewarded in this charismatically illustrated card game. The WuzzIt population is divided in five families, but the mischievous WuzzIts like to combine with each other to create a confusing cast of characters. To unscramble them, players strategically exchange bottom cards and top cards to match up a monster and earn points. The first to build three full WuzzIts ends the round. The player with the highest score after three rounds wins!

Family FunAztackAges 7 to Adult / 2 to 4 PlayersAztack dares players to stack up to the great Aztecs and build a temple following divine laws. The high quality playing pieces or “stones” are inscribed with two colored Aztec glyphs. Every added stone must bridge two underneath and match them by color or glyph. Strategic decisions like blocking your opponents’ next move will help a player stack the most stones to win!

Battle SheepAges 7 to Adult / 2 to 4 PlayersRivaling sheep herds go to head to fluffy head in this quick moving strategy game. The goal is to have your sheep occupy the most pastures. On each turn, players split their stack of sheep and move a portion as far is it can go in a straight line to a new pasture. The winner will be watchful of sneaky sheep and successful at fencing out the foe. As a new playing board is assembled before every game, Battle Sheep provides a different playing experience every time!

Serious StrategyNiyaAges 8 to Adult / 2 PlayersSet in the Imperial Garden of Classical Japan, Niya centers on a dark political conspiracy among two influential clans. On every turn, players replace a garden tile with one of their clan tokens. The next player can only exchange a token for a garden tile that has an element in common with the previously chosen tile. The first to position their clan in a row, square, or blockade will win control of the garden…and power at court! A simple yet sophisticated strategy game, Niya captivates players young and old.

BraveRatsAges 8 to Adult / 2 PlayersIn the Highlands of Medieval Scotland, an epic battle is taking place underfoot! Rivaling rat clans clash in a bid for the throne in this two person strategy game. Both players have a hand of eight cards, numbered 0 to 7, with each character on the card possessing a special power. Cards are revealed in a calculated duel with the victory going to the higher number, unless the special power overrules. The first player to win four rounds claims the kingdom for their clan. This minimalistic wonder plays in just minutes but packs rich game play and plenty of suspense.

San Francisco based board game company Blue Orange Games donates local proceeds to Save The Bay

San Francisco based board game company Blue Orange Games donates local proceeds to Save The Bay

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—August 20, 2013—Blue Orange Games, leading creators of tabletop games for families, is pleased to announce their partnership with Save The Bay, the largest organization working to protect and restore the San Francisco Bay. The Dogpatch based game company will donate a portion of its wholesale revenues in the Bay Area to the organization’s efforts.

With hundreds of accounts in the Bay Area and deep relationships with local specialty stores, this initiative promises to benefit the local environment as well as community members, who are provided with an easy way to do their part to support a healthy San Francisco Bay, which is so important to people and wildlife. Every purchase will contribute to the funding of Save The Bay’s efforts. This means supporting the restoration of natural habitats, protecting the Bay from pollution and inappropriate shoreline development, securing policies to re-establish 100,000 acres of vital wetlands, and educating future generations on hot to be Bay stewards.

Both avid sailors and water sports enthusiasts, the company founders have always been passionate about the Bay. “We actually first discussed the idea of starting a game company while sailing on the Bay together back in 2000,” said Julien Mayot, Blue Orange Games’ CEO.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to help right here at home in the Bay Area and improve the land and community in which we live. Environmental responsibility has been at the core of our ethos since day one; the name of our company is even taken from a French poem praising the planet. We couldn’t wish for a more action-oriented and dedicated organization to begin a partnership with. The team really looks forward to volunteering on a restoration project with Save The Bay in the upcoming months as well,” said Mayot.

“It’s great to see local businesses recognize that the Bay is central to our economy and quality of life in the Bay Area,” said David Lewis, Save The Bay’s Executive Director. “We’re thankful for Blue Orange Games’ support of our work to protect and restore our greatest natural resource and excited about this new partnership.”

The Save The Bay partnership adds a local reach to Blue Orange Games’ other initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. Since 2007, they’ve been committed to their Tree Campaign which makes the production of their playing cards and line of wooden games more sustainable. The company plants two trees for every one tree used in game construction and has planted over 125,000 to date. Their annual carbon footprint is accounted for via additional reforestation of Fair Trade cocoa plantations in the Amazon, which also works to support the sustainable development of rural communities.

Shoppers can look for the Save The Bay stickers on Blue Orange Games’ products in local specialty stores and Whole Foods stores.

About Save The Bay Save The Bay is the largest regional organization working to protect and restore San Francisco Bay. As the Bay’s leading champion since 1961, Save The Bay remains dedicated to making the Bay cleaner and healthier for people and wildlife. The organization protects our natural treasure from pollution and inappropriate shoreline development; restores habitat; and secures strong policies to re-establish 100,000 acres of wetlands that are essential for a healthy Bay. They engage more than 40,000 supporters, advocates and volunteers to protect the Bay, and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders by educating thousands of students annually. www.saveSFbay.org

The new expanded edition of the top selling card game Spot it! offers more ways to play, new symbols, big twists, and exciting game accessories. Spot it! Party is expected to be a hot gift item this Holiday Season.

SAN FRANCISCO—April 15, 2013—Blue Orange Games, leading producer of tabletop and board games for families, is launching an expanded party edition of their best selling game, Spot at the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) 2013 Marketplace & Academy on June 16th through 19th in Nashville, Tennessee.

The fast-paced card game, Spot it! debuted in 2010 and exploded in popularity, spurring the release of multiple and licenses. Both Spot it! and its Junior edition, Spot it! Jr. Animals have been nominated by the Toy Industry Association for Toy of the Year awards. Although the original games are well known for their travel-sized tin canisters, the company felt it was also important to offer a traditional "big box" game with more content for larger gatherings and special occasions. Blue Orange Games hopes to capture a new audience with the Party edition and increase the game's challenge level.

“Spot it! Party is designed to excite devoted fans and hook new players. We are pleased to release the game before fourth quarter planning starts. We expect it to be a big draw this holiday season. We can’t wait to hear what our retailers have to say about it at ASTRA,” said Martin Marechal, Director of Sales and Marketing at Blue Orange Games.Along with the playing cards, the game box contains eight card holders and a Hand Mascot, a totem of the character taken from the game's logo. The cards have a brand new set of fun and quirky symbols, such as a gnome, a plunger, and headphones. If seasoned players are too quick to spot the symbols in the original Spot it!, the Party edition will level the playing field.

All Spot it! games are centered on a mind boggling concept: between any two cards in the deck, there is always going to be one (and only one!) matching symbol. Players aim to be the quickest to spot the match. It sounds simple, but with different sizes and orientations, a match is easily hidden in the array. Couple this with the fact that players are racing feverishly against their opponents, and it's the perfect recipe for an adrenaline pumping, uproarious and all around ruckus-raising party game.

Spot it! Party lets players choose from six individual mini-games with separate rules and objectives. Favorites like “The Tower” get a big twist with the introduction of the Hand Mascot. In addition to match making, players have to keep their eyes peeled for their chance to steal or pass the Hand Mascot—it can make or break a win. New mini-games called The Race, Dynamite, and Double Frenzy involve the card holders and take the game to the next level testing players' memory and multi-tasking skills.

Spot it! Party promises the ultimate play session and will hook kids ages 10 to 100 for hours of electrifying fun. The suggested retail price for Spot it! Party is $19.99, and it will be available mid July 2013.

About Blue Orange Games: Based in San Francisco, Blue Orange Games has been creating timeless games for the whole family since 2000. Their catalog of over 40 award-winning products has earned a reputation for high play value, skill development, and continuous fun. The eco-friendly company focuses on high quality designs using durable materials and plants two trees for each tree used in game construction. For more information, visit http://www.blueorangegames.com.

About the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA): With more than 1300 members, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is the largest association for companies in the toy and children’s products arenas. ASTRA and its member companies promote the growth of the toy industry by delivering products that serve children’s best interests. For more information, visit http://www.astratoy.org.

PediaStaff, Inc to Attend AOTA 2013 with Guest, Blue Orange Games

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—April 8, 2013—PediaStaff, Inc. and Blue Orange Games are pleased to announce their attendance at the upcoming AOTA Annual Conference on April 24th through 28th in San Diego, California. The nationwide staffing company and leader in the placement of pediatric therapists will be hosting Blue Orange Games at the PediaStaff, Inc. booth (#1022) in the main exhibition hall.

Many pediatric occupational therapists integrate game play into their practice to develop and reinforce a wide range of cognitive, motor and social skills. Blue Orange Games, award-winning creators of tabletop games geared towards kids and families, have begun a partnership with PediaStaff to offer therapists engaging tools and ideas to target a range of learning needs. The company has agreed to donate games to PediaStaff’s clinical lending library on an ongoing basis and provide games for professional assessment on the growing network of therapists’ blogs.

AOTA Conference attendees are encouraged to visit booth #1022 to learn how PediaStaff can help them find the perfect OT position in their preferred setting, whether schools, clinics, early intervention, hospitals or even adult settings. Blue Orange Games will be giving away a free game every hour, as well as providing game demonstrations, passing out promo items and discussing how to implement games in therapy sessions.

“Blue Orange has an excellent reputation for innovative educational games, and I think the OT’s visiting our booth will be very interested to see how they can use their games to advance therapy goals,” said Heidi Kay, Senior Partner and co-founder of PediaStaff.

With thousands of followers to their blog, social media accounts, and e-newsletter, PediaStaff has established itself as the premier resource for occupational therapists and speech language pathologists working with children. "We're very excited to have the support of such a recognized company as PediaStaff, which has been so successful at building and serving an online community of pediatric therapists. Over the years, more and more therapists have reached out to us to say how appropriate and fun our games were for their patients. We are thankful for the opportunity to reach out to this important and enthusiastic audience, and look forward to sharing our games and trading feedback face to face with OT’s at the conference,” said Adeline Bertrix, Marketing Manager at Blue Orange Games.

Non-attendees can stay updated on booth happenings and still have opportunities to win games by following PediaStaff and Blue Orange Games on Twitter and searching #AOTA13.

About PediaStaff:Founded in 2004, PediaStaff is a nationwide, niche-oriented staffing company focusing on the placement and staffing of pediatric therapists. They specialize in pediatric speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, related assistants, and school psychologists. They are the only pediatric therapy staffing firm specializing in all settings and employment durations – full time, part time, contract, direct hire, temp to direct, hourly PRN, and per visit.

About AOTA:Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association(AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA's major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.

March is Cro-Magnon Madness

Ooga Booga by Blue Orange Games Fuels The Croods Craze!

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—March 22, 2013—Looks like the GEICO Caveman wasn’t the last we saw of this pop culture favorite. With the release of DreamWorks’s new 3D animated flick, The Croods hitting theaters today, prehistoric times will capture the imaginations of a whole new generation of kids.

Now there is a game to fuel the Paleolithic pandemonium! Caveman themed Ooga Booga is a 2013 new release by award-winning Blue Orange Games.

In this hilarious memory game, players take on the role of clan members who perform the Ooga Booga chant to appoint their new chief. Each playing card has either an ancient word or wild gesture along with a cave illustration serving as a visual cue. Players take turns laying down a card to add on to the chant. You have to listen closely and follow the clues to recite the chant without a mistake. Players who stumble are called out by the clan and collect penalty cards. As the voices of the tribe rise into a sidesplitting song, the sharpest memory will determine the leader of the pack.

Ooga Booga gets homo sapiens of all ages to shed their modern inhibitions and join in the prehistoric fun. Pounding fists, absurd grunting, and outbursts of laughter are all guaranteed. Easy to learn and with no setup needed, this memory game is a great ice-breaker.

The Croods tells the story of the “first family road trip” and the hijinks that ensue. With its travel friendly size and durable tin container, Ooga Booga is the perfect entertainment for Troglodyte travelers. Families will feel just like the Croods family as they grunt on the go!

Ooga Booga is for 3 to 6 players and is recommended for ages 7 and up.

Play Blue Orange Games on TableTop Day

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—March 13, 2013—In honor of International TableTop Day on March 30th, Blue Orange Games is hosting a Family Play Party in the Portrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco.

TableTop Day marks the one year anniversary of the launch of the hit web series produced by Geek & Sundry, the award-winning original YouTube channel. The global event is a reminder to spend more time and strengthen the bonds with the people who matter most, our friends and family, by playing games together.

Blue Orange Games will be taking over the clubhouse at Jackson Playground from 4:30 to 7:00 for a fun filled evening of playing everyone's favorite Blue Orange games. Participants may bring their own games as well. Food, refreshments and prizes will be provided.

Interested families and individuals are encouraged to RSVP with Annika at pr@blueorangegames.com. Provide a contact phone number, the number of people in your party and their ages. Space is limited and will be on a first come first serve basis with a standby list if needed.

This family oriented event is recommended for kids 6 and up. Singles are very welcome as well.

The Blue Orange team is excited to interact with their local community and looks forward to challenging party-goers to a Spot it! contest.

About Geek & Sundry: Original YouTube channel Geek & Sundry features the best of indie geek culture and the internet’s foremost geek voices. Founded by the producers of the hit web series The Guild, Geek & Sundry offers a diverse lineup of shows that create a hub for fans of comedy, gaming, comics, music, and literature around the world. Spearheaded by prominent geek figureheads, Geek & Sundry features original content by Felicia Day (The Guild, Dr. Horrible, Eureka), Wil Wheaton (Star Trek, The Big Bang Theory). For more information, visit www.geekandsundry.com & watch on YouTube www.YouTube.com/GeekandSundry.

About Blue Orange Games

With over 12 years experience creating high quality games, exquisitely designed for maximum fun, Blue Orange Games looks to the future with consistent ideals. Choosing durable, feel-good materials, they pledge to produce games that last through generations and create cherished moments. Designed to be easy to learn and to build upon important skills, Blue Orange games invite families to unplug for hours of good old-fashioned fun. Respect for the environment is a priority. They plant two trees for each one used in the creation of their playing cards and wooden games.

Speedeebee wins 2013 Teachers’ Choice Award

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—February 29, 2013—Looking for a way to bring education home with out it feeling like homework? Speedeebee is fast-paced word game that is so fun and interactive, kids won’t even know they’re working on spelling and vocabulary skills! And now, it’s been approved by teachers as a best product for at-home learning.

Blue Orange Games is proud to announce that Speedeebee won the 2013 Teachers’ Choice Award for the Family award by Learning Magazine, the trusted resource for elementary school educators for over 40 years. Teacher teams from across the country judged the entries on uniqueness, educational value, and ease of use.

Speedeebee is a travel-friendly game for ages 8 and up that comes in an adorable little tin canister. Inside are four alphabet dice and a set of cards with over 150 word challenges combined. Game play is easy to learn and takes seconds to set up. One player picks a challenge and reads it aloud. It may be a general question (Name a country containing this letter) or something more personal (Name something you would take to a desert island, starting with one of these letters). The challenge will tell you which dice to roll. The first player to call out a correct answer wins the card. The winner then draws a new card and reads the challenge matching the color of the back of the card just won. At the end of the game, the player with the most cards wins!

Speedeebee is perfect for elementary schoolers and word game fans of all ages. The variety of the challenges, the chance of the die, and player dependent responses make Speedeebee excitingly different every time it’s played.

What teachers say about Speedeebee:

“I liked the creativity that it stimulated. It actually sent us to the dictionary several times! This game is so easy to travel with because of its size.”

“Speedeebee is an interesting and motivating game for kids. The rounds go very quickly--no down time and no waiting. It's great that all players participate with each hand.”

“Speedeebee is mentally stimulating and challenging. It incorporates many topics, builds vocabulary, and challenges children to think of responses beginning or containing given letters.”

“I would recommend this game as an easy way to have family fun that is educational.”

About Blue Orange Games

With over 12 years experience creating high quality games, exquisitely designed for maximum fun, Blue Orange Games looks to the future with consistent ideals. Choosing durable, feel-good materials, they pledge to produce games that last through generations and create cherished moments. Designed to be easy to learn and to build upon important skills, Blue Orange games invite families to unplug for hours of good old-fashioned fun. Respect for the environment is a priority. They plant two trees for each one used in the creation of their playing cards and wooden games.

Blue Orange Games to Launch 5 Games & New Toy Line in 2013

SAN FRANCISCO—December 19, 2012—Blue Orange Games, award-winning creators of irresistibly fun and educational games for the whole family, announce their plans to release five new games at New York Toy Fair in February 2013. Covering a range of interests and ages, their new products inspire laughter, learning and valuable interaction, which is the core of Blue Orange’s philosophy.

New Product Highlights

Ooga Booga 7+ · 3-6 Players

Get ready to party like a caveman with this comical memory game! Using visual cues, players memorize and recite a chain of ancient words and gestures without leaving anything out. With pounding fists, grunts and outbursts of laughter, this game gets homo sapiens of all ages to shed their modern inhibitions and join in the prehistoric fun. Playing cards are contained in a travel-friendly durable tin to unpack the laughs wherever you go.

Flash 7 to Adult · 2-6 Players

Watch the sparks fly in this lightning fast dice contest! In Flash, players race to complete eight challenges of dice combinations as they try to rack up the most points. It’s the go-to game for electrifying fun when you’re short on time but looking for entertainment. Straightforward and easy to learn, it plays quick so you can go at it again and again. Every one of all ages gets bit by the competition bug and has a fair shot to victory.

Nada 7 to Adult · 2-6 Players

Nada is a game of chance and visual skill that everyone can learn to play in seconds. Scoop up the 12 dice and let ‘em roll. Quick—all players scan the array for matching symbols between the orange and white dice. The first to call a match gets to grab all the dice with that symbol. No matches? No problem! It’s another chance to win. Shout "Nada!" to collect your dice but speak too soon and you’ll pay the price. Think sharp and act fast to match, snatch and win.

Keekee the Rocking Monkey 3+ · 2-6 Players

An ideal first game, KeeKee the Rocking Monkey develops dexterity and teaches children balance. Keekee’s big act is juggling balls while balancing on a giant banana. Talented as he may be, he needs help to surprise his friends in the zoo. It all depends on each player picking the right ball and putting it in the right place on this friendly little monkey. The look on kids’ faces as they watch Keekee sway to and fro is priceless! This beautiful game is crafted from 100% sustainable wood.

20 Express 8 to Adult · 1-100+ Players

Hop aboard the 20 Express and get ready for a winning streak! Each player has a train of 20 cars to fill with numbers. The goal is to create the longest ascending series possible. Twenty numbered tiles are randomly drawn, and every number must board a car and stay there. Break the series and you miss out on points. Sure, you need luck but sharp quesswork pays off. With clear-cut game play and lots of suspense, it’s full speed ahead for up to 100 players!

About Blue Orange Games

With 12 years experience creating high quality games, exquisitely designed for maximum fun, Blue Orange Games looks to the future with consistent ideals. Choosing durable, feel-good materials, they pledge to produce games that last through generations and create cherished moments. Designed to be easy to learn and to build upon important skills, Blue Orange games invite families to unplug for hours of good old-fashioned fun. Respect for the environment is a priority. They plant two trees for each one used in the creation of their wooden games.

Blue Orange Games to Launch Six Games in 2013

MEDIA CONTACT

Annika Harperpr@blueorangegames.com415-252-0372

SAN FRANCISCO—September 28, 2012—Blue Orange Games, award-winning creators of irresistibly fun and educational games for the whole family, are proud to announce their plans to release six new titles at New York Toy Fair in February 2013. Covering a range of tastes and ages, their new games inspire laughter, learning and valuable interaction, which is the core of Blue Orange’s philosophy.

New Product Highlights

Doodle Quest 7 & Up ·2-6 Players

Doodle Quest is a one-of-a-kind drawing game with a deceptively simple challenge: draw a line! It includes 20 double-sided sheets of Deep Sea themed illustrations. Trusting their eyes to lead the way, players navigate through their own invisible maze to create a line on their transparent sheet that fits the illustration. Players match up the transparency to the illustration and note their points according to the sheet’s legend. Doodle Quest is an engaging activity that can be played solitaire or with the whole family.

Ooga Booga7 to Adult ·3-6 Players

Ooga Booga is comical memory game that will have everyone talking like a caveman! Using visual cues, players memorize and recite a chain of ancient words and gestures without leaving anything out. With the pounding of fists, absurd grunting, and outbursts of laughter, this game gets homo sapiens of all ages to shed their modern inhibitions and join in the prehistoric fun. The 50 cards are contained in a travel-friendly durable tin to unpack the laughs wherever you go.

Spot It Party 7 to Adult ·2-8 Players

Spot It Party is the new big box of everyone’s favorite game. All new fun and funky symbols like plungers and flying pigs give Spot It a fresh look and revive the challenge. The party box has everything you need for the ultimate Spot It session. The box includes 8 Card Holders to play never-before-seen mini games, injecting an additional factor of frenzied fun into this smash hit game. A new Spinner determines which mini-game to play next. Conquer all the levels of the mini-games to be a true Spot It master.

Flash 7 to Adult ·2-6 Players

Watch the sparks fly in this lightning fast dice contest! In Flash, players race to complete eight challenges of dice combinations as they try to rack up the most points. It’s the go-to game for electrifying fun when you’re short on time but in need of entertainment. Straightforward and easy to learn, it plays quick so you can go at it again and again until you win. Every one of all ages gets bit by the competition bug and has a fair shot to victory.

Nada 7 to Adult · 2-6 Players

Nada is a game of chance and visual skill that everyone can learn to play in seconds. Scoop up the 12 dice and let ‘em roll. Quick! All players scan the array for matching symbols between the orange and white dice. The first to call a match gets to grab all the dice with that symbol. No Matches? No problem! It’s another chance to win. Shout “Nada!” to collect your dice but speak too soon and you’ll pay the price. Think sharp and act fast to match, snatch and win.

Keekee the Rocking Monkey 3+ ·2-6 Players

An ideal first game, KeeKee the Rocking Monkey develops dexterity and teaches children balance. Keekee’s big act is juggling balls while balancing on a giant banana. Talented as he may be, he needs help to surprise his friends in the zoo. It all depends on each player picking the right ball and putting it in the right place on this friendly little monkey. The look on kids’ faces as they watch Keekee sway to and fro is priceless! This beautiful game is crafted from 100% sustainable wood.

About Blue Orange Games

With 12 years experience creating high quality games, exquisitely designed for maximum fun, Blue Orange Games looks to the future with consistent ideals. Choosing durable, feel-good materials, they pledge to produce games that last through generations and create cherished moments. Designed to be easy to learn and to build upon important skills, Blue Orange games invite families to unplug for hours of good old-fashioned fun. Respect for the environment is a priority and they plant two trees for each one used in the creation of their wooden games.

The best selling game now available for learning— Spot it! For Schools featuring Alphabet, Numbers and Shapes, and Basic English, Spanish and French

San Francisco, CA— August 8, 2012—Blue Orange Games has launched five new School Editions of their best selling game Spot it!After hundreds of requests from educators, the company wanted to do versions especially for teachers centered on early learning. Whether kids are beginning to learn numbers, letters, or beginning to read in English, Spanish or French, the new Spot it! games will make learning so much more fun!

Spot it! School Editions were adapted for preschool and school aged children between 3 and 8. Just like the original and popular Spot it!, the games develop visual perception skills, while exercising cognitive speed and reaction time in a fun atmosphere. As always, there is always one and only one match between any two cards. Spot it! Alphabet and Spot it! Numbers & Shapes help children build essential skills for preschool as they learn to identify letters, numbers, colors and shapes. In the Basic Language editions, players search for matches between universal words and their corresponding pictures. While the repetition solidifies sight word recognition and builds reading confidence, the pictures support reading comprehension.

It’s no secret that children learn through play. Spot it! School Editions truly maximize this potential, especially since games are rewarding by nature, and learning is neurologically facilitated by reward stimuli.

“We love making back-to-basic games,” says Julien Mayot, co-founder and CEO of Blue Orange Games. “The fast-pace and friendly competition in Spot it! really excites kids. With the new School Editions, kids will not even realize they are learning new things as they play. Teachers fulfill such an important role, so we wanted to make games especially for them to use as a wonderful tool for teaching .”

HOW TO PLAY SPOT IT! GAMES

The rules are simple: Draw two cards and place them face-up on the table so everyone can see. The first to spot the match between the two cards wins the hand, and when the cards run out, whoever has the most cards wins! Packaged using eco-friendly laminated cards in a sturdy tin canister; the games are easy to store in the classroom game closet. There are 3 different ways to play, each very stimulating, and appealing to different abilities. The rules include tips for advanced play for older kids. Because it’s such a fast-paced game, kids want to play it again and again—and since so many can play at once, it’s a perfect classroom, or before or after school activity.

NEW SPOT IT SCHOOL EDITIONS:

• Spot it! Alphabet

31 cards featuring all the letters of the alphabet, and colored hearts and stars. As children search for matches, they will learn the alphabet and colors while having fun. Recommended for preschool.

• Spot it! Numbers & Shapes

31 cards featuring numbers 1 through 9, and the basic geometric shapes. As they search for matches, they will quickly learn numbers and shapes, the building blocks of math. Recommended for preschool.

• Spot it! Languages Basic English

55 cards featuring universal images and words for beginning readers, including sight words. Matches can be word-picture, picture-picture, or word-word. Practicing reading comprehension has never been so much fun! Recommended for 1st and 2nd grade and ESL teachers.

• Spot it! Languages Basic Spanish

For emergent Spanish speaking readers and second language learners of all ages.

Recommended for foreign language teachers.

• Spot it! Languages Basic French

For emergent French speaking readers and second language learners of all ages.

Recommended for foreign language teachers.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

All of the School Edition games will be available on September 15, 2012.

“The Spot it game was easy to introduce and the students are able to play andmonitor themselves very easily.”

—Sue Casey, Principal, Fremont Primary School, CA

In addition to the 200+ awards the games have received to date, (http://tinyurl.com/6rmbwhr), Blue Orange Games has recently won three prestigious industry awards: 2012 ASTRA Excellence Award – Vendor of the Year; 2011 Toy Collection Award – Vendor of the Year; 2011 Learning Express Award – Best Store Support Vendor Award.

ABOUT BLUE ORANGE GAMES

Thierry Denoual and Julien Mayot founded Blue Orange Games in 2000, naming it after the Paul Eluard surrealist poem, “The Earth is Blue like an Orange.” Their first game, Gobblet has sold over 1 million units, and has been joined by a catalog of 30 simple, yet challenging games for all ages including Spot it!, a best-selling game in the specialty market. Blue Orange can be found on the shelves of major US retailers, such as Barnes & Noble and Michaels, with the heart of their business in over 3,000 specialty toy stores. Blue Orange games, created and developed in the United States, are ergonomically designed, and made using durable and solid materials that last for generations.

Blue Orange Games is committed to planting two trees for every one tree used in the creation of their games. Looking towards the future, and with an eye for constant improvement, Blue Orange is steadfast in their mission to bring HOT Games to a COOL Planet. Blue Orange Games is based in San Francisco. For more information about the company, go to www.blueorangegames.com.

Note to Editors and Game Reviewers: High-resolution images and sample games are available upon request. Please contact Amy Bonetti.

To make it easy to stay up-to-date on the Spot it! for this launch, teachers may visit blueorangegames.com or follow Blue Orange Games on Facebook & Twitter searching for @spotitgame.

Blue Orange Games Wins 3 Top Industry Awards

San Francisco, CA— May 9, 2012— It’s been a big year for Blue Orange Games. After 12 years of business, the classic game company has been recognized as the preferred vendor by the industry’s leading retailers.

Founded by Julien Mayot and Thierry Denoual in 2000, the company began with just one game, Gobblet, which Julien sold out of his Jeep during a three-month road trip across the country. This approach has come to define Blue Orange Games— their annual US road trip creates strong relationships with retailers and puts a face on the company. Now with a catalog of 30 games, and the best seller Spot it! on the market, Blue Orange Games has proved to be a key player in the game industry.

Blue Orange Games designs, manufactures and distributes games that are easy to learn and very adaptable to play with a range of ages and abilities. Their products have earned a reputation for high play value, skill development, and continuous fun. The eco-friendly company focuses on high quality designs using durable materials and is committed to planting two trees for each tree used in game construction.

Below is information on the recent industry awards:

• 2012 ASTRA Excellence Award – Vendor of the Year

On Monday, June 11 Blue Orange Games will be honored for excellence in the management of their business by The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA). The company was nominated and voted for by ASTRA members. The award will be presented at a special Awards Breakfast Ceremony during ASTRA’s annual Marketplace & Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. Comprised of over 1300 independent toy and children’s products retailers and manufacturers, ASTRA is the nation’s largest non-profit association leading the specialty toy industry. ASTRA was founded in 1992 to unify the industry, enabling members to help each other succeed and strengthening their shared commitment to quality materials with high play value.

• 2011 Toy Collection Award – Vendor of the Year

In February this year, Blue Orange Games received the Toy Collection Vendor of the Year award for 2011. Participating retailers voted on the criteria of product quality, sell-thru and customer service. Servicing the specialty toy industry since 1990, The Toy Collection is a broad reaching catalog vendor that supports the most respected brands and the specialty stores that carry them. Over 100 stores in the United States participate and have their products featured in Toy Collection’s professionally designed catalogs, which drive sales to locally owned businesses.

Learning Express awarded Blue Orange Games with Best Store Support Award in June 2011. With over 140 stores across 26 states, Learning Express is the largest and most established specialty toy franchise business in the United States.

Blue Orange Games is thrilled to receive three Vendor of the Year awards within the same 12 month period. The rapidly growing company looks forward to carrying the momentum of their success into the future.

ABOUT BLUE ORANGE GAMES

Thierry Denoual and Julien Mayot founded Blue Orange Games in 2000, naming it after the Paul Eluard surrealist poem, “The Earth is Blue like an Orange.” Since Blue Orange Games’ beginning, Gobblet has sold over 1 million units, and has been joined by a whole catalog of 30 simple, yet challenging games for all ages including Spot it!, a best-selling game in the specialty market. Blue Orange can be found on the shelves of major US retailers, such as Barnes & Noble and Michaels, with the heart of their business in over 3,000 specialty toy stores.

Blue Orange Games is committed to planting two trees for every one tree used in the creation of their games. To offset the carbon footprint of their annual road trip, the company plants additional trees in the Amazon. In 2007 they became the proud first recipient of Dr. Toy’s Green Company Award. Whole Foods Market has selected their green games as a national brand these past four holiday seasons. Looking towards the future and with an eye for constant improvement, Blue Orange is steadfast in their mission to bring HOT Games to a COOL Planet. . Blue Orange Games is based in San Francisco. For more information about the company, go to www.blueorangegames.com.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA— August 8, 2012— You are in for a scare this week— Blue Orange Games announced today the release of Spot it! Halloween, a Halloween edition of their chart-topping and highly entertaining card game Spot it!

Spot it! Halloween is a fast-paced and highly addictive card game featuring 55 brightly colored eco-friendly cards packaged in a collectible tin canister you can take anywhere. There is always one, and only one, matching symbol between any two cards. Spot it to win!

Developed for ages seven to adult, and for 2 to 8 players, Spot It! Halloween features spine-tingling ghouls, ghosts, bloody hands, spiders, bats, cobwebs, skeletons and other scary surprises. Because it’s fast-paced, kids want to play it again and again.

“We are known for the attention we place on both design and playability of our games, and Spot it! Halloween is no exception,” said Julien Mayot, cofounder and CEO of Blue Orange Games. “Spot it! is as addictive as candy, and so much fun it could wake the dead!”

Blue Orange Games is an industry leader, making some of the most popular games in the toy market today; Spot it! is the #1 selling card game on Amazon.com going on two years.

The Spot it! series includes the original Spot it! game, in addition to recently launched MLB™, NHL, Jr. Animals, and On The Road versions. Later this summer, the company will also be launching San Francisco and the new Spot it! School Editions just for teachers — Alphabet, Numbers and Shapes, and Basic Languages.

Thierry Denoual and Julien Mayot founded Blue Orange Games in 2000, naming it after the Paul Eluard surrealist poem, “The Earth is Blue like an Orange.” Their first game, Gobblet has sold over 1 million units, and has been joined by a catalog of 30 simple, yet challenging games for all ages including Spot it!, a best-selling game in the specialty market. Blue Orange can be found on the shelves of major US retailers, such as Barnes & Noble and Michaels, with the heart of their business in over 3,000 specialty toy stores. Blue Orange games, created and developed in the United States, are ergonomically designed, and made using durable and solid materials that last for generations.

Blue Orange Games is committed to planting two trees for every one tree used in the creation of their games. Looking towards the future, and with an eye for constant improvement, Blue Orange is steadfast in their mission to bring HOT Games to a COOL Planet. Blue Orange Games is based in San Francisco. For more information about the company, go to www.blueorangegames.com.

Note to Editors and Game Reviewers: High-resolution images and sample games are available upon request. Please contact Amy Bonetti.

Today’s Parents Magazine • Top Toys 2006“A game for Scotty’s age (3) that the whole family can enjoy. And it’s so much fun when it all comes tumbling down; Scotty thinks he’s the winner when that happens to him.”

Major Fun • Tops of 2011• Keeper Award 2011“[Fastrack is] one of those games that keep on getting played and played and played again. This takes it beyond Major Fun, into the realm of pure Keeper-hood.”

Tillywig Sterling Fun Award

The National Parenting Center • Seal of Approval 2011

Mom’s Choice Awards • 2012 Honoree

T.O.T.Y • Toy of the Year Nominee 2013

Flapz!

Dr. Toy• Best Green Toy 2012

Parents’ Choice Foundation• Recommended Award 2012

Playonwords.com• Play Advances Language Award 2012

Flash

Dr. Toy• Best Vacation Products Award 2013

Parents’ Choice Foundation• Fun Stuff Award 2013“This is a keeper!”

Tillywig Toy Awards• Best Family Fun Award 2013“Fun doesn't get any more rapid-fire than Flash.”

The National Parenting Center• Seal of Approval 2011“This is ideal for unleashing the imagination of just about any child or parent.”

YummyMummyClub• Top 20 Kid-Tested Toys of 2011“An excellent selection of picture prompts, with the added richness of wonderful detailing. Certainly one of the best story-telling games we’ve seen. Great for ad-lib bed-time storytelling, too.”

Parents’ Choice Foundation• Silver Honors Award 2005“The game requires a nice combination of luck and skill making it possible for younger players to legitimately win against older opponents. Older players can strategize to make their opponents next move more challenging.”

Family Fun - Battle Sheep

Scholastic - Aztack

Scholastic - Doodle Quest

US Weekly - Spot it! Splash

Better Homes and Gardens - Doodle Quest

Better Homes and Gardens - Flapz!

San Diego Family Magazine

Spot it! Splash has been selected for Splash Fun Summer Toy Review in the July print issue of San Diego Family Magazine.

DATING Web site users typically get acquainted online, then decide whether to meet in person, but the sites are increasingly helping to forgo that first step by hosting gatherings.

Last May, for example, Match.com, the 18-year-old Web site, introduced Stir, an events program, and has since held more than 2,850 mixers that more than 225,000 singles attended, according to the company.

Now Match.com has itself found a partner, the board game industry, to liven up events. On Tuesday, the company began holding what it is calling Stir game nights, where singles gather at bars and restaurants to play games like Bananagrams, a word game, and Spontuneous, a music game. The company will present 30 events through the fall in its top 25 most popular markets.

Luke Zaientz, vice president for events at Match.com, said that among attendees of events over the last year, 50 percent reported meeting someone they would like to date.

Match.com, which promoted the Stir events with a television commercial during the Summer Olympics Games last year, spent an estimated $105.3 million in advertising in 2012, according to Kantar Media, a unit of WPP.

Regular events like cooking classes or dance classes can be limited to as few as 18 singles for those who prefer smaller groups, while Match.com also hosts happy hours for as many as 300.

Some atypical events, like D.J. classes, have been hits, while others like teaching stand-up paddling on a surfboard flopped.

“We tried that and almost nobody showed up because nobody wanted to be in a bathing suit and to get wet,” said Mr. Zaientz.

A game night held in December in Chicago sold out quickly, prompting Mr. Zaientz to attend the American International Toy Fair held in New York in February to meet with game makers about forging partnerships.

The goal was to find games that could be learned quickly and enjoyed in short rounds, which ruled out long-lasting games like Monopoly and Risk. The coming events will feature about a dozen different games made by six companies, which have agreed to supply games to be played and given away.

Rena Nathanson, the chief executive of Bananagrams, which along with its flagship word game will be supplying another word game, Zip-It, for the game nights, said it was a good promotional opportunity for the brand.

“It helps spread the word,” she said. “Pardon the pun.” Ms. Nathanson, who lives in London, was drawn to the idea for nonprofessional reasons, too.

“Being a divorced person and a mother of two who finds it really difficult to meet people, I thought, what a great icebreaker and a great way to meet people,” she said.

Bananagrams has done little advertising, but has directed marketing and public relations efforts to promote the word games to parents, educators, travelers and the older Americans. Before now, said Ms. Nathanson, “The singles market was on the radar but we hadn’t hit it.”

The dating company declined to reveal how much the game makers were paying it in addition to providing games, saying only that it was a modest sum to defray the cost of events, and Ms. Nathanson, without giving a sum, described the cost as “dirt cheap.”

Brian Turtle, vice president for sales at Endless Games, which will feature two games at the events, Name 5 and Oddly Obvious, said his company has also hosted game nights at bars and bookstores.

“We feel that single people are the real lifeblood of the party game category,” said Mr. Turtle, who with two college classmates in the 1990s came up with the game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, a humorous use of the actor to illustrate the six degrees of separation concept.

At a singles event, a game like Name 5, which challenges players to list five components in a category, could help kindle a romance, Mr. Turtle suggested.

“If I’m playing Name 5 and someone that I’m into can name five ingredients in chocolate chip cookies, maybe she can bake cookies,” Mr. Turtle said. “Or if she could name five members of Pearl Jam, maybe we’d have that in common.”

While they may seem quaint in the era of mobile games like Angry Birds, the category of board games, card games and puzzles has had year-over-year growth in two of the last four years, and totaled $2.2 billion in 2011, the most recent year for which data is available, according to Euromonitor International, a market research and data firm.

A Web series hosted by the actor Wil Wheaton, “TableTop,” features Mr. Wheaton and celebrity guests playing board games, which may sound less than riveting but has been popular. The first episode, featuring the actress and writer Jenna Busch, Grant Imahara of the television show “Mythbusters,” and Sean Plott, a webcaster known as Day[9], playing Small World (a Days of Wonder game), has garnered more than 1.1 million views on YouTube.

Matthew Hudak, a research analyst with Euromonitor who tracks toys and games, said board games, which traditionally had been marketed to mothers as family entertainment, had gained traction with consumers in their late teens and 20s in recent years, as evidenced by game nights on campuses and bars.

The strategy by Match.com to feature board games in events “is a decent idea because it’s following the trend of the popularity of games with millennials,” said Mr. Hudak, “who are in college or just out of college.”

A version of this article appeared in print on June 19, 2013, on page B5 of the New York edition with the headline: Finding Ms. (or Mr.) Right at the Board Game Table.

Blue Orange Games to Debut Spot it! Party at ASTRA Marketplace

SAN FRANCISCO—April 15, 2013—Blue Orange Games has announced their plans to launch an expanded edition of their best selling game, Spot it! at the 2013 ASTRA Marketplace on June 16 – 19 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Spot it! was released in 2010 and exploded in popularity, prompting the release of multiple editions and licenses. Both Spot it! and its Junior edition, Spot it! Jr. Animals have been nominated for Toy of the Year awards. Blue Orange Games hopes to capture a new audience with the Party edition and increase the game’s challenge level.

“Spot it! Party is designed to excite devoted fans and hook new players. We are pleased to release the game before the holiday season planning starts. We can’t wait to hear what our retailers have to say about it at ASTRA,” said Adeline Bertrix, Marketing Manager at Blue Orange Games.

Spot it! Party is packaged in a large box, designed to hold the game’s accessories: 8 colorful card holders and the Hand Mascot, a totem of the character on the game’s logo. The cards have a brand new set of funky symbols, including items such as a gnome, a plunger, and headphones. If seasoned players are too quick to recognize the symbols in the original Spot it!, the Party edition will level the playing field.

Spot it! Party lets players choose from six individual mini-games with separate rules and objectives. Favorites like “The Tower” get a big twist with the introduction of the Hand Mascot. In addition to match making, players have to keep their eyes peeled for their chance to steal or pass the Hand Mascot—it can make or break a win.

New mini-games called The Race, Dynamite, and Double Frenzy use card holders and take the game to the next level by throwing memory and multi-tasking into the mix! The winner of the most mini-games during a play session earns the title Spot it! Master.

The party box will offer players the ultimate Spot it! session. Game accessories inject a whole new factor of frenzied fun and rev up the challenge. With 6 never-before-seen mini games to master, this party box will hook players ages 10 to adult for hours of electrifying fun!

Spot it! Party will retail at $19.99 and will be available to ship July 2013.

Food Network Magazine

AARP Magazine: Power Down and Play!

AARP Magazine: Power Down and Play!

Sports Illustrated Kids: 2012 Gotta Get It Guide

Sports Illustrated Kids: 2012 Gotta Get It Guide

TOTY Nominations Include PAL Winners

Play On Words : TOTY Nominations Include PAL Winners

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Sherry Artemenko

At TOTY Press Conference

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being invited to the Toy Industry Association’s press conference announcing their finalists for Toy of the Year in 11 different categories. The event was in Bryant Park and included an ice skating exhibition which was special. I was excited to see several PAL winners make the list:

Activity Toy of the Year:

LEGO Friends. Referred to as “one of the most researched and exciting launches in company history,” these sets feature adventures with 5 girl characters in Heartlake City.

Educational Toy of the Year:

-Roll and Play by Thinkfun. “The first game ever designed for toddlers” this plush cube with follow-the-direction cards gets parents and toddlers moving, thinking and laughing as they follow picture cues.

-Zingo Sight Words by Thinkfun. This fun interactive game teaches early readers to recognize and read some of the most common and fundamental words in the English language that aren’t easy to sound out.

Game of the Year:

-Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates-Never Land Challenge Game by Wonder Forge. Join the pirates to crawl, tiptoe and jump through the vine archways to earn gold doubloons and beat Captain Hook.

Never Land Challenge Game and Spot It Jr. Animals nominated for Game of the Year

-Spot It Jr. Animals by Blue Orange Games. With 6 adorable animals on each card, little ones match the animals and can practice their sounds.

Girl Toy of the Year:

-Lego Friends: LEGO Friends. Referred to as “one of the most researched and exciting launches in company history,” these sets feature adventures with 5 girl characters in Heartlake City.

Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year:

-Lego Duplo Creative Sorter. This build and store bucket serves as a shape sorter and also provides three sorting plate lids with instructions to build a parrot, elephant and giraffe.

-Roll and Play by Thinkfun. “The first game ever designed for toddlers” this plush cube with follow the direction cards gets parents and toddlers moving, thinking and laughing as they follow directions.

Specialty Toy of the Year:

-Playmobil E-Rangers Headquarters. “Equipped with a spotlight to help illuminate the surrounding terrain, knockout cannon to disable enemy vehicles and a functional solar fan module, this galactic headquarters is filled with top-notch technology” for creative play.

Congratulations to the nominees! For the complete list go to www.toyawards.org and be sure to vote for your favorites by January 13, 2013!!

If you’re starved for NHL action this hockey season, Blue Orange Games has a couple of titles that might just hit the “spot” for you. I recently took Spot It! NHL for a few laps around the rink, and here’s what I thought:

I’m into bigger style board games, so it was a bit deceiving when I saw Spot It! NHL was so compact. However, along with its miniature size came a great deal of fun, as it provided 5 different NHL hockey themed matching games.

The game’s single dimension is to spot matching NHL logos and other hockey-themed images before the other players can. This game has 5 different variations. The fun is all in the mayhem, trying to quickly make matches before everyone else.

I played with 4 friends, 2 of which don’t follow hockey regularly. All of us thought the game was great. My friends I played with play a lot of board games (they have a few shelves dedicated to them) and they decided to add this game to their regular lineup of games to play on game night.

The gameplay time is short enough that it does not get tiresome (3-5mins). Short is also good because players can exit a game anytime without disrupting a very involving showdown. There are a few variations that can potentially take a little longer (up to 8-10min) to finish than others, and the time difference adds to the variation.

You can keep score, but I found it more fun when each game is mutually exclusive from the other, since there is potential for players with superior matching skills to run away with the score over the course of multiple games. The game has a tendency to favor better players, as the real good players can go on long streaks, and slower-matching players could become frustrated. I’d recommend players organizing games amongst evenly skilled players, rather than letting the game even it out for you. But then again, playing the game is the only way to truly find out what level of matcher every player is.

The game comes in a durable case so game owners do not have to worry about wear and tear outside of actually the game.

Overall this is a great game to play for not only hockey enthusiasts, but for everyone. The learning curve is extremely low and the logos are easily distinguishable.

At the height of the recession, money was tight for most of my extended family. So instead of giving each other gifts that we didn't really want or need, my sister-in-law Jane came up with a plan:

"This year," she announced, "we will give each other experiences!"

She explained that our gifts would entail spending time together doing a memorable activity.

This was on my mind as we treated my in-laws to The Broadmoor's epic holiday festivities. During the resort's White Lights Ceremony — when 260,000 lights rival the starlit night — they avowed it was something they'd never forget.

So I fell in love with Jane's idea. I never know what to get most members of my family; making memories together seemed like a great alternative.

Unless, of course, they are bad memories. So I was hesitant when another relative stepped up with this announcement:

"Your brother and I thought it would be fun for you and The Husband to go to Ripped with us."

Any idea with the word "ripped" in it could not be good. I figured it was either a seedy bar or a killer workout, both of which might ultimately lead me to R.I.P.

"Just what exactly is Ripped?"

My relative confirmed it was kick-butt workout at the local gym. A workout that had her seeing stars within the first 15 minutes.

A rather appropriate symbol for the Christmas season, wouldn't you agree?

I do work out, but I still wasn't thrilled about getting Ripped. I really wanted to have enough energy to lift my fork from my plate to my mouth during Christmas dinner! (I have priorities, you know.)

I knew The Husband would be even less thrilled about the prospect of a work out gift as our Wii Fit recently accused him of being a Couch Potato. Instead of persevering, he indifferently shrugged his shoulders and went back to his computer.

And so this holiday season, I encourage you to not only seek out the best deals on gifts but consider giving experiences. Just don't give bad ones. Because nothing says "Happy Holidays" quite like the gift of pain.

This year's hot holiday toys

These ideas are from "The Toy Guy," also know as Christopher Byrne. He is the content director at TimetoPlayMag.com. Here he shares his picks for the hottest — and most affordable — toys for the 2012 holiday season.

Toys under $10

Spot-It Games by Blue Orange Games, $9.99, ages 4 and up

These clever matching games are available in multiple themes (sports, travel, etc.) and engage kids and families in a find-and-match play pattern that's both fun and educational. Kids love the round cards, too.

My 10-year-old grandson and I recently enjoyed a cold and rainy weekend together with a fun and educational selection of games from Blue Orange.

Blue Orange has created entertaining games for families for a decade. The classic format and construction of recycled tin and wood products takes me back to the days where I didn't need batteries or an Internet connection to play. I doubt my grandson can remember a day without electronic gadgets. His portable gaming system and iPod accompany him everywhere. This is why I was amazed at how quickly the he put the gadgetry aside when the board and card games came out to play!

We both appreciated that Blue Orange products are made from recycled products, and that the company plants two trees for every one used in the making of games. Kids are quite savvy these days about the environment and their future. Blue Orange is setting a good example

Enjoy the selection of our favorite family and party games below!

Spot It!

This compact card game is just the right size to tuck into a holiday stocking and features 55 cards, each with eight symbols. There are only two matching symbols between any two cards. The object of the game is to Spot It!

I love brain games. After all, grandparents need to exercise their brain to keep up with the youngsters! Spot It! takes a sharp eye and quick reflexes to be the first to spot a match. The grandson and I would be speeding along, catching the matches one after another and then we would both be stumped! Once we realized the symbols were clearly right in front of us we would end up with the giggles!

Also of merit is that there is more than a single way to play with the selection of mini games, party games, and tournament play. This little game packs plenty of action!

Recommended for ages seven years and older and for two to eight players.

Tell Tale Fairy Tales

Once upon a time... With the card game Tell tale Fairy Tales players create stories inspired by the colorfully illustrated cards. Individuals can play the game on their own, or pair up with a friend for team play.

One of the first things I liked about Tell Tale Fairy Tales is that there is no scoring and no winners. The object of the game is to create and share imaginative stories. Everyone is a winner as the game encourages imaginative play. Games can be played individually or in two-player teams which promotes cooperation and sharing.

The grandson and I enjoyed taking turns as the story emerged from our back-and-forth take on the illustrated cards. Some elements came from fairy tales we knew and enjoyed. I noticed as play went on more original scenes developed from our own imaginations.

Although the game is recommended for ages five years and older, I am looking forward to sharing Tell Tales Fairy Tales with my three-year-old grand-daughter. She is at the age where she adores pretend play and silly stories. I have a feeling the game will be a hit!

The card game is enclosed in a tin container, handy for sleepovers and road trips. Instructions allow for a variety of ways to play the game.

Yamslam

Yamslam is a dice game which combines risk and strategy while attempting to win the highest value chips.

The game may seem similar to other dice games which use "poker hands" to score. Yam slam takes the game one step further by deleting the score pad and adding the scoring chips. While a "full house" or "five of a kind" are welcome "hands," it is important to score high soon as there is a limited number of high-scoring chips. You really need to take a chance early in the game!

The grandson was a bit wary of the game at first. He quickly caught on to which combinations scored the highest and became more confident. At ten years of age he still may be a bit young for the game. I can imagine that Yamslam will become a favorite for family game night and he will take delight of beating his dad and grand-dad at the game!

Fastrack

Fastrack promises non-stop action in a classic board game setting.

The grandson and I had a terrific time and plenty of giggles at his ability to score and my ability to either miss or send my wooden disks flying outside of the game board. My skill did improve in time, although the grandson remains the champ. This may be why Fastrack ruled the day as he kept on insisting on one more game!

I enjoyed the simplicity of the game and the classic look and feel of the wooden board and disks. I am sure that this is not a game that will sit unused in our game cupboard!

Don't you love it when kids enjoy an educational challenge?

Speedeebee!

Finally! A game where grandma has the edge! But probably not for long.

I have to admit that my strengths are with word games. Speedeebee relies on the ability to quickly identify a word which fits the challenge stated on the cards and the resulting letters after the throw of the dice. I didn't feel a wee bit guilty as ruling champ of Speedeebee, not after constantly taking a beating of the other fames played on the weekend!

However, the grandson is determined to take the lead with Speedeebee and who am I to stop him from improving his spelling and vocabulary skills? It's going to take a bit of practice to beat grandma!

Pixy Cubes

Pixy Cubes can be played two ways! You can use the 16 engraved cubes to create colorful pictures and you can choose to play games!

Whichever way you choose to play, Pixy Cubes aids in the development of agility, creativity and memory. Designed for one to four players ages six years and older, Pixy Cubes comes complete with 16 cubes, ten design cards, 10 challenge cards, and illustrated rules. Take the challenge and copy the example patterns or design some of your own. Parents and caregivers will appreciate that the use of the Pixy Cube cards can effectively help children improve color and shape recognition skills, decision-making, abstract-reasoning, problem solving and perceptual skills, as well as memory, sequencing, and coordination.

Visit the official Pixy Cube website for a gallery of design and even more activities to enjoy.

Sketch It

You need to be quick on the draw when playing this party game!

Sketch It! isn't just about your quick reflexes. The game requires equal amounts of quick thinking, creativity, and the ability to read visual clues. All players compete simultaneously after receiving their visual clue. The sooner you finish sketching the higher you score AND the sooner another player properly identifies your sketch the higher you both score.

You don't need to be an artist to sketch; it helps to be an accurate doodler!

Spot It! Halloween Edition Card Game Will Scare Up Plenty Of Family Fun This Halloween

Looking for a fun treat this Halloween that won’t spiral your kiddos into sugar induced craziness? Why not check out Spot it! Halloween Edition, a fun party-style card game for kids. This spooky game comes with 55 cards, each featuring an assortment of fun Halloween images including jack-o’-lanterns, cobwebs, ghouls and other spooky creatures and objects. This Halloween spin on the regular Spot it! card game helps your child to develop visual perception and matching skills while also sharpening reaction time, motor skills and quick cognition. Game maker Blue Orange produces many high quality, eco-friendly games and to keep in line with green practices, plants two trees for every one tree used to make their games. Additionally, Blue Orange Games strives to make kid-brain powered games, not buzzing, light-up battery operated games, making Blue Orange Games a great alternative for parents who want to unplug their kids more often. Kids 7 and up will enjoy this game, though it may be too scary for some easily spooked kids.

Keeping the kids entertained is the number one priority when hitting the road for a family vacation. Here is a list of new and upcoming travel games designed to make family expeditions fun.

As most know, traveling with children is no easy task. Every parent knows a quick and ready supply of entertainment is essential to a successful and happy travel experience. And without it, it could mean disaster.

At the Toy Industry Association's 109th International Toy Fair in New York City, thousands of toy manufacturers and game publishers came together last week to show off their new and upcoming products. We decided to check out which games would act as a perfect travel companion for kids of all ages. Some are high-tech, and others are amazing low-tech toys that harken back to the good old days before computers.

But with so many toys to choose from, it was a tough choice.

Spot it! On the Road

Spot It! is a matching symbol game where kids use their sharp eye and quick reflexes to be the first to get rid of all their playing cards. In a deck of 55 cards there is only one matching symbol between any two cards- the player that “spots” the match and slaps their cards down first wins the hand.

The newest version of the popular game, Spot it On the Road uses symbols you would see on everyday road trips (stop signs, bridges etc). The idea is to have players match the travel symbols on their cards to the actual objects they see outside their window, instantly turning boring hours on the road into a fun and stimulating car ride.

It is a rare moment when I can pass by a game aisle without taking a long, hard look. As I said when I reviewed BANANAGRAMS, I’m a sucker for unique packaging, but it takes more than a pretty package for a game to become a favorite in our household.

This game is fun. This game is challenging. This game will stretch your child’s mental math abilities.

Giving credit where credit is due.

Before you think I found this fabulous game on my own, I will let you know the recommendation came from reader Anna-Marie Struble.

Anna-Marie wrote:“I discovered a math game called Sumoku and thought it might be something you could show on PW’s homeschool blog…I usually am a little skeptical about ‘educational’ games, and am afraid they’ll just take up space on my school room shelves. I actually bought this game more for the sake of the fun number tiles to use with my 1st grader, but my 4th and 5th grader love the game!”

Anna-Marie told me she found hers at Target, but it wasn’t available at my Target so I found and ordered mine from Amazon.

Everything needed to play this game is zipped up in the compact, brightly colored, cone-shaped bag.

The Game

Sumoku is a crossword-style game using number tiles.

What is it with number and letter tiles? I just love them. Not only are they visually appealing, they are utilitarian; there are endless learning games that can be played with number and letter tiles. Blending aesthetics with utility is my own personal homeschool Utopia!

Sumoku can be played (5) five different ways – Sumoku, Speed Sumoku, Spot Sumoku, Team Sumoku, and Solo Sumoku. Additional challenges are available at sumokuonline.com in (3) three different levels of difficulty (Easy, Medium, Hard).

Kenny is still mastering his 7,8, and 9 multiplication tables, so we primarily play the plain Sumoku game; it is challenging in and of itself.

The premise of all the Sumoku games is to arrange the number tiles in a crossword-style pattern where each row and/or column adds-up to a multiple of the key number.

The key number is established at the start of each game with the roll of the die. Once the key number is established it stays the same throughout the entire game.

Each player keeps (8) eight number tiles at all times – grabbing from the extra tiles after each play.

After all the tiles are played, the player with the highest score wins. Sounds simple, eh?

In the game we played above, our key number was (3) three.

Meredith created a column with the number combination [9][3][7] and [5]. The sum of the four numbers is 24.

Because of the positioning, Meredith also had to pay attention to the horizontal row her new column touched–in order for it to work, its sum also has to be a multiple of 3.

It had a previous number combination of [2] [4] [5] and [1]. When she added a [3] to that combination, the sum became [15], which was still a multiple of (3) three. Whoop!

In this play Meredith earned 72 points.

24 points for the (9+3+7+5) column. 15 points for the (3+2+4+5+1) row. 33 points for the (4+8+9+7+5) row.

The addition practice comes in as the kids add-up each of their ongoing scores.

The multiplication practice comes in as the kids have to remember their multiplication families to know if the sum of a Sumoku is a multiple of the key number.

The division practice comes in because it doesn’t take long before the kids discover that dividing is often the fastest way to think through each of their plays.

There are a couple of other rules that add to the challenge:

1. There are only 6 colors in the Sumoku number tiles and a color cannot repeat in the same row or column. 2. A row or column must be a combination of 2 to 6 tiles in one unbroken line. You can’t have a single tile.3. Finally, the “6″ tile can be used as a “6″ or a “9″; keeps’em thinking!

Suggestions when you play.

When you first get started I suggest playing a game where everyone helps each other earn the most points. Sort of an “open play” where individual points don’t really matter. This not only allows them to establish a better understanding of how the rules “iron-out” in the game, but it cuts the frustration when one of them picks-up on the game rules faster than another.

Also, once you get started, you may want to set an allowable time-frame to complete a play (we use a small, plastic, 2-minute hourglass timer I picked up from the local party store). Kenny’s patience was tested over and over as his sister kept looking for the play with the most points–which is good, unless it takes 10 minutes to make a single play! HA!

After the game was completed the kids caught a row that was NOT a multiple of 3. Do you see it?

Sumoku is a powerful math tool we will continue to use over and over. In fact, I have been known to play solo when the kids grow tired of the game and push-off from the table.

Toys, games, apps to make time fly: These travel toys are perfect for a long car or plane ride and fun to play once you reach your destination!

School’s out and you’re dying to get to the beach, the mountains or Grandma’s house. But getting there can seem as long as the school year. Don’t wait for Mom or Dad to dream up ways to entertain you. As you make your packing list, jot down a few of the toys, games and apps on the next pages. Promise that you will play quietly and take turns with your little brother. (So hard, we know.) Your parents know that a few distractions will go a long way toward making the trip enjoyable for the whole family.

Spot It! On the Road

BlueOrange. Age 7 and older. Two to eight players. $12.99.

What’s a car ride without the classic game of I Spy? This version, the latest in a series of Spot It games, is packaged in a little tin with pictures of things commonly seen out the car window. Flip a card from the pile, and the first one to spot it wins that card.

Spot It! Any pair of cards has exactly one symbol that matches between them.

Overview:Spot It! is a teeny little card game based on a simple idea: spot the match. Any given pair of cards has exactly one match on it, and your goal is to find it as fast as possible. There are four variations of the game included in the tin, plus you can make up your own.

Players: 2 to 8

Ages: 7 and up (though this works for younger players)

Playing Time: 20 minutes (or less, usually)

Retail: $12.99

Rating: Brilliant! Lightning-fast, easy to teach, quick to play

Who Will Like It? Fans of find-the-object games (like Pictureka) or spot-the-difference games will appreciate this speedy find-a-match competition. Great for both adults and kids playing together.

Components:

55 round cards in a handy little tin. Each card has a random assortment of 8 things, which can be anything from a pair of lips to a yin-yang to a snowman, in different sizes. The cards are a little thin and it turns out that round cards are difficult to shuffle, but the circular shape is probably better for arranging the icons. The metal tin is a nice touch, as it’s bright and sturdy.

Gameplay:

There are instructions for four games included: The Tower, The Well, Hot Potato, and The Poisoned Gift. All of the games are speed-based: there are no turns and you just look for matches as quickly as you can.

The Tower: each player gets one card face-down, and the rest of the cards go in a stack face-up in the center. Everyone turns up their cards at the same time. When you find a match, you call it and take the card from the top of the stack, placing it on top of your own. The game goes until the “tower” runs out, and the player with the biggest stack wins.

The Well: The reverse of the Tower, you start with one card in the center and deal out the rest of the cards as evenly as possible. Everyone looks for a match from their own draw pile to the center, and tries to get rid of their cards as quickly as possible.

Hot Potato: Each player holds one card in their hand, face-down. At a signal, all the cards are turned over. If you find a match with any other card, you call it and place your card on top of the matching one. (If you have more than one card in your hand, you’re just looking at the top card.) Play goes until one player has all the cards, which are set in the player’s own discard pile. Keep playing rounds like this until cards run out. Player with the smallest discard pile wins.

The Poisoned Gift: Give each player one card face-down, and put the rest face-up in the center. Everyone flips over their cards, and then looks for a match between the stack and somebody else’s top card. Call the match and place the card from the stack onto the other player’s stack. Continue until the center stack runs out. Player with least number of cards wins.

Conclusion:

It’s quite a simple idea, but it’s really fun. First there’s just the geekiness of the mathematics involved in creating a set of cards in which any two cards have exactly one match. I mean, it’s not necessarily that complicated, but it gets you to stop and think about it a bit.

The drawings on the cards are cute little random things, but there’s a limited color palette — that means that it’s easy to see the carrot (orange with green top) and the tree (orange trunk, green leaves) and think that you’ve found a match until you look more closely. Also, the icons aren’t necessarily the same size or orientation between cards, so that’s another added trickiness to the cards. Because there are so many different cards, there’s no way you’ll memorize cards, either, so everyone’s on a level playing field.

Playing the game reminds me a little bit of playing Set (another really great card game), because most of the game involves sitting and looking for a match, then shouting it out when you find one. Of course, Spot It! usually goes a lot more quickly, but there are times when you find yourself staring at a pair of cards, unable to find the match even though there are only eight symbols on each card.

All of the games are fairly similar, of course, but we found we really liked Hot Potato with a lot of players. We did introduce a house rule, though. In the normal game, the loser each round gets the whole stack of cards, and everyone else gets none. So you don’t have to be the fastest — just faster than the slowest one. We played this game with 7 players, and we stopped each round when only two people had cards left. What that meant was that the two slowest players didn’t have the same number of cards: sometimes you’d have 3 and 4, but other times you might have a player with 1 and a player with 6. It made the game a bit more interesting and helped spread out the cards a little.

This isn’t a deep game, to be sure, but it’s undeniably fun. You can play it with just about any age, and it’s especially fun with a lot of people. The only thing I would have changed is that there are a few of the symbols that are words: “Stop,” “Art,” and “OK.” They’re all different colors but it’s the only thing in the game that sort of requires reading ability, and it would have been nice to have those replaced by other drawings.

You can purchase the game from Blue Orange, from Amazon, or check your local game store.

Wired: Speedy spot-the-match game is lots of fun and a cinch to teach. Nice metal tin.

I had a fun interview today at NBC CT sharing the latest PAL Award winners that can build language skills. Here are the toys and games that I brought with the points I made about them and their price:

It’s Back to School and parents are immersed in the new school year with academic expectations, homework etc. Kids come home and need some down time for play but it doesn’t have to be mindless play–here are some great toys and games that build language while having loads of fun:

wonderful, portable games in a tin that use language skills to find words in a category, beginning sounds in Speedee Bee, tell a story with Tell Tale Fairy Tales, or learn vocabulary with Spot It Jr.

WOW Fire Rescue Roary by Ravensburger (1 1/2-5 years, $40.00)

play scenario toy with just 4 pieces but plenty to get the story going and leave it open-ended for the child to lead

kid-powered, no batteries, picks up the stretcher and injured man with a magnet to air lift him

Pop and Swap Gym by Infantino (birth-2 years, $50.00)

flexible toy for baby–4 positions from tummy time to sitting up

pods and hanging toys are mix and match–add on new ones

babies learn from adults describing their play–variety for adults too

e-Ranger Headquarters by Playmobil (7-12 years, $130)

futuristic space station

workers have organic garden to produce the oxygen to live

working solar panel to drive the fan to disperse the oxygen

red energy crystals to provide power

Retailers Love Blue Orange Games

Edplay : Retailers Love Blue Orange Games

July/August 201 by Brenna English-Loeb

Retailers’ love affair with San Francisco-based Blue Orange Games has been well documented in the past year. The 12-year-old company has received coveted awards for its service, store support and product quality from three leading groups: storeowners from Learning Express franchises located throughout the U.S., the retailers who cooperatively use Toy Collection’s professionally designed catalogs and members of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association.

Maybe it’s because Blue Orange cofounders Julien Mayot and Thierry Denoual often show up in their stores. “We don’t spend a lot of time sitting in the office,” Julien tells me in a recent interview. He and Thierry “are the kind of people that are always on the move.”

Julien peddled the company’s first game, Gobblet, storefront to storefront from the back of his Jeep. Each year since then, he has embarked upon a road trip that harkens back to the grand age of the traveling salesman. He does it not just because it’s been successful for the company, but also because he believes in “going to see your customers and their stores and staff, instead of waiting for them to come visit you at a trade show.

“Last year our team of five had a six-month road trip. We drove 160,000 miles and saw 2,000 retailers,” he says. “We don’t feel time, we don’t feel fatigue. We just get boosted with energy by all these retailers we meet day after day, city after city.”

He has nothing but compliments for owners of small specialty toy stores. “The same way we design our games with a very unique design, they design their stores with very unique features. I am amazed at the talent of the store owners, and at how much creativity comes out of toy stores. When we meet with these people it sparks ideas and energy.”

When I ask him what goes on during their meetings, he tells me, “Last year we gave away half a million samples of Spot It to the stores. It’s something we do a lot. That way, when people visit that local toy shop, they can try our game. They love it so much they want to buy it.

“We’re very hands-on and back-to-basics, from the game we create to how we get it to market,” he adds. “We’re really down to earth, one store at a time.”

Retailers also appreciate Blue Orange’s stand on the environment. The company’s name, in fact, was inspired by the Paul Eluard poem about our planet, “The Earth is Blue Like an Orange.”

Games are manufactured using recycled materials or materials that can be recycled, and the boxes they come in are durable. Made of recycled cardboard, resin, tin or wood, they don’t end up in the garbage. What’s more, the company has pledged to plant two trees for every one used in the production of a Blue Orange game.

Both Thierry, the game inventor, and Julien, the businessman, are from France. While Thierry works alone in the creative stage, testing out ideas and prototypes with friends and family members, both men work with the marketing team to finalize the themes and the rules of the games.

“I did not come to the U.S. to sell games, I just found a niche and a need for a different type of game,” Julien says. Originally, after earning a master’s degree from the prestigious international IAE Business School, he came to San Francisco as a web marketing developer.

Right away he noticed a big difference between the board game market here and the market in France. “Games in Europe tend to be a lot more complex. Blue Orange games are simplified because we understand that Americans don’t have as much free time, or they spend it in different ways. All of that helps us come up with a unique Blue Orange concept: little games that are set for the whole family. Anyone can be good in a matter of seconds.

“The philosophy behind Blue Orange Games is a simple good time with family and friends, something that hasn’t changed for centuries,” he adds.

When I ask him how a game is successfully designed and marketed, he reminds me of Yoda telling Luke Skywalker, “Do or do not. There is no try.”

“Design is what makes us different from other manufacturers,” he begins, “but it’s not all about the product itself. You can have the best product in the world, but it doesn’t mean you’re going to be successful. For us, the philosophy isn’t to follow one direction as much as it’s to follow our instincts and the feeling we have of what makes a good game.”

Right now, his instincts are telling him to create more games that can be used as teaching tools, “to make Spot It an educational game, for instance, to help teach the basics like the alphabet and numbers.”

What you won’t see from Blue Orange is an electronic game. “We don’t plan to put all of our games on the tablet,” says Julien. “We could, but I don’t think that’s the future. We started Blue Orange Games to combat technology so why would we turn to it and say, oh, let’s just embrace these technologies and try to market 60 percent of our games on the tablet?”

He concludes with an assertion of the longevity of non-electronic games. “You see the movie rental companies and huge corporations going out of business. We don’t even know the future of books. But for board games? I don’t see change in the next 50 years. If you get a game made out of good old-fashioned feel good materials, you’re going to be unplugged with hours of good old-fashioned fun around the table.”